Giles Cooper surveys his night-time venue, Canvas, from a stool and lets out a deep breath.

The sigh speaks louder than any words.

Able to hold 450 people, the current restrictions mean that Bournemouth’s only loft bar and live lounge has a maximum capacity of 118.

Opening hours, normally 6pm to 3am, are now until 9.45pm to allow for the Poole Hill premises to meet the 10pm curfew.

For the former tennis professional and serial entrepreneur – he also has barber shops and a tattoo bar – it’s been a bitter and expensive pill to swallow.

But is he disheartened or at the end of his tether?

Absolutely not.

Giles, 50, said: “Our sector is innovative by nature and full of experienced and committed operators.

“It’s in our DNA to constantly innovate, find new and different ways to stay relevant and anticipate what customers want.

“Nightclubs have had little or no support from government schemes so it’s a credit to the sector how they’ve kept going.

“It’s about providing an experience for customers but with a commitment to safety.”

In the case of Canvas, the maxim has been ‘the show must go on’.

The venue reopened on September 25 with live music returning to the limited capacity Loft Bar.

And despite the 10pm curfew Canvas has been able to proceed with its plans with only a few timing alterations.

The music includes The Prohibition Brunch Club on a Saturday, the return of The Cuban Brothers on November 20 and a multitude of other future events.

Giles said: “We’ve put in all sorts of measures to ensure that we’re strictly adhering to government guidelines.

“Essentially we’ve doubled our staff but taking a quarter of an income.

“But there are opportunities to branch into new areas.

“I have a vision of a Ronnie Scott jazz club style format.

“In that respect the pandemic has given me a bit of a head start in terms of looking at things in a new light.

“I’ve been through previous recessions and while this is very different, I do believe that if you’re passionate about what you do, you’ll get through the present situation.”

Giles is also passionate about sport.

He left school at 16 and was selected by the Lawn Tennis Association for a Youth Training Scheme (YTS) based at The Queen’s Club in London and The West Hants Club in Bournemouth.

He achieved national and international standard as a junior but, in his words: “I did not quite have what it took to pursue a professional tennis career.”

Instead he developed his coaching career and awards, becoming Head Pro at a local tennis club and gaining international experience playing in France, Spain and team tennis in Germany.

Giles was then offered a job in the Middle East as Head Pro at the Intercontinental Hotel, Oman, working with all standards of players.

He returned to the UK in 1994 and landed the position of County Performance Officer, creating a network of coaches running municipal sites and local schools.

Giles also worked for top racket brands as a promoter at weekends.

To this day sport remains a large part of his life, playing tennis as a senior, skiing, endurance bike riding as well as the occasional half or full marathon.

Giles said: “Being physically fit means that I am mentally and emotionally prepared to make the most of every day and every opportunity that presents itself.

“I am able to make quick decisions, respond well to any challenges and keep on top of my workload.”

A ‘half full rather than half empty’ person, Giles said he was hopeful business life would start returning to normal from next spring.

He said: “People are eager to go out now but they are very wary of the restrictive conditions that they’re forced to take.

“I accept, though. that staff walking around in masks is not conducive to a relaxed atmosphere for people.

“Although our income is heavily down we’re OK.

“The problem for everyone is if things go beyond next spring.

“I just hope people continue to support local businesses.

“That’s key to helping all of us get through the next six months or so.”