Since 2020, how much cash have you had to spare? If you’re anything like the average Brit, the answer is a very depressing ‘not very much at all’. As it turns out, we aren’t alone; businesses are running out of money just as fast as we are, and the nightlife industry has been hit particularly hard by the general public spending less on fun as bills and essentials take up more of the budget.
According to a report by market researchers CGA Nielson, 65 nightclubs in the UK have closed since the beginning of the year, and we’re not even in October yet. The researchers found that roughly three clubs have closed every single week since January, and the trend is not showing any signs of slowing.
The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has called this a ‘devastating decline’, with its CEO Michael Kill saying: ‘The nightclub and dance music sector is facing an unprecedented crisis. [This] is devastating for our economy, culture, and communities.
‘Our sector is treated like an afterthought, yet it supports jobs, tourism, and hospitality. These venues aren’t just places to dance; they are vital spaces for community and creativity.’
The research shows that Yorkshire is the hardest hit area, with a 45 percent reduction in venues over the past year, meaning that nearly one in every two clubs has shut up shop. London has been affected the least, but it has still seen its number of nighttime spaces reduce by nearly a third. All in all, it’s a pretty bleak picture.
So what can we do about it? The NTIA says that the government has a duty to act and save the sector from complete collapse. ‘We need immediate action to prevent further closures.’ Michael explains. ‘Long-term reform won’t matter if there are no venues left to benefit from it.’
He’s calling on the chancellor to extend business rates relief in her upcoming budget to make sure that small businesses can survive the current monetary drought.
You can have a look at the full report here, but if you’re concerned about the state of the industry, the easiest thing to do is get out and support your local nightclubs. Grab a drink and a friend and go have a dance – there are few better ways to spend an evening.
Get out and about
If you’re in the mood to do a good deed, go try out somewhere new and boost that local economy. If you’re looking for somewhere cool to go why not try out one of our favourite pubs or rooftop bars, or head on a big night out to the best nightclubs in Glasgow, London, Manchester, or Liverpool.
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