A new report by the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has revealed UK nightlife is in decline as 65 nightclubs have closed since the start of 2024.
The report follows a wider investigation into Britain’s late-night sector from COVID to present. The results are evidently quite worrying given that the UK has witnessed the closure of 480 nightclubs between June 2020 to June 2024. This is approximately 10 shutdowns a month, with two venues permanently closing their doors weekly.
Live Nation are reporting record profits
Meanwhile, the good people at @musicvenuetrust, @wearethentia or AIF:
– 2 grassroots venues are closing a week
– 67 clubs shut in Q1 2024
– 192 festivals have disappeared since 2019Here’s how music fans can help https://t.co/jdrBw3yIOI
— Sean Adams (@seaninsound) September 26, 2024
Since COVID, UK nightlife have battled continual trials and tribulations with on-and-off-again national lockdowns and a cost of living crisis.
This catastrophic decline presented by the NTIA is an “alarming issue” which requires immediate government intervention to reshape and repair the nightlife industry. It is not simply venue closures at the forefront of the decline of nightlife, as the crisis will continue to “jeopardise not only jobs but the very heart of nightlife and culture in communities across the country”.
We all know Covid was a struggle for hospitality particularly@wearethentia has been studying the slow decline of our venues, and puts it down to two key factors:
The cost of living crisis
Difficulties with transport home— Matilda Davies (@matildakdavies) September 27, 2024
NTIA’s report highlighted a region by region insight into the detrimental state of nightlife in Britain. London, the North-East, the South and the South-East encountered the least decline, falling respectively by 29%, 20% and 34%. Whereas Yorkshire was the most affected, with a 45% decline in nightclub numbers since 2020. This was closely followed by Lancashire and the South-West which declined by 42%, along with the central region and Wales which both lost 41% and the East with 39%. In addition to this, the report also demonstrated Scotland’s placement in the crisis, with venues in Scotland decreasing by 34%. Following the report, the CEO of the NTIA, Michael Kill, released a statement responding to the report’s claims. Kill expressed “The nightclub and dance music sector is facing an unprecedented crisis… This rapid decline is devastating for our economy, culture and communities”.
The decimation of the UK’s nightlife, and pub culture, is shocking. According to Bloomberg:
– Three-quarters of nightclubs shut since 2005
– Number of pubs down by a quarter since 2000
– 13,800 nighttime businesses shut in 2020-23
– 35% London’s local music venues closed 2007-15— Wessie du Toit (@wessiedutoit) October 1, 2024
Providing thorough context to the crisis, Kill continued: “Despite contributing millions in taxes, we are burdened with rising costs and a lack of essential public services. Late-night transport is unreliable, police presence is scarce, and venues are forced to spend on security and cleaning – services that should be publicly provided. Additionally, bureaucratic systems around licensing and planning are inconsistent and definitely not conducive to growth, weighing us down at every point”.
It is evident that government intervention will be paramount to heal the wounds of the late-night sector. He continued to emphasise the closing venues “aren’t just places to dance; they are vital spaces for community and creativity. Without urgent government intervention, we risk losing a key part of the UK’s cultural identity in dance music”.
Printworks is back!! NTIA Says Planning Consent A Positive Moment for London’s Nightlife “We are extremely pleased to hear the news that Printworks officially received planning consent for redevelopment on Tuesday night. This is an extremely positive moment for London’s… pic.twitter.com/QkxEOT0BEY — Night Time Industries Association (@wearethentia) September 25, 2024
The crisis has not only affected nightclubs but UK bar chains have also struggled, as the industry failed to report any sales growth over the last eight months. Rob Pitcher, the Chief Executive of Revolution Bars spoke to The Morning Advertiser following the closure of eight of its sites. Pitcher suggests the closures were “largely as a result of the changes in dynamic in the late-night economy and the pressures on the younger element of our guest base who are really struggling with the cost-of-living”.
In anticipation of next month’s budget, the Wine & Spirit Trade Association has demanded for government support by urging the chancellor to freeze alcohol duty.
The turmoil encountered by the night-life sector in NTIA’s report indicates that although some issues have become deeply entrenched in nightlife culture, the recuperation of nightlife for the rest of 2024 and the beginning of 2025 is dependent on government intervention.
The full report by the NTIA can be read here.
