The rate at which the UK is losing nightclubs is increasing, losing three per week. The northern regions have been hit particularly hard, with almost half of clubs in Yorkshire lost since 2020. 

Last updated: 30th Sep 2024

Originally published: 27th Sep 2024

The Night Time Industry Association (NTIA) has revealed the dire situation of the UK’s clubbing scene, reporting that the number of club closures is increasing as 65 nightclubs have closed this year alone.

The latest statistics from CGA Neilson have revealed a devastating decline in the number of UK nightclubs. 

Between June 2020 and June 2024, the UK lost 480 nightclubs, averaging ten closures per month or two per week. And instead of the industry finding stability, closures have increased. Between December 2023 and June 2024, an alarming 65 clubs shut down, equating to eleven closures a month or three per week. 

Over the past four years, our vital cultural spaces have been disappearing rapidly, putting the UK’s dance music culture at serious risk.

 

Clubs lost per region since 2020

Photo: Nereid Ndreu / Unsplash.com 

Here’s a breakdown of the number of clubs each region had in 2020 compared to how many each has now in 2024. The impact on the northern regions is particularly dire. 

Yorkshire has been the hardest hit by closures going from 132 venues down to just 73 at present, a gut-wrenching 45% decline. 
Lancashire is close behind, going from 178 clubs down to 104, a worrying 42% reduction. 
The South West has also suffered a tragic 42% loss, declining from 111 to 64. 
The Central Region has gone from 200 clubs down to 118 in 2024, a 41% loss. 
Wales has also endured a brutal decline with its 66 venues being reduced to just 39, losing 41% of its clubs. 
The East has seen a decline from 67 to 41 venues, a 39% reduction. 
Scotland has seen a worrying 34% drop, going from 125 venues down to just 83. 
London’s nightlife venues were at 200, now 143, marking a 29% decline. 
The South and South East had 92 venues in 2020, now just 70, down 24%. 
The North East has seen a 20% decline, going from 61 to 49 venues. 

 

What the NTIA has said

Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, said, “The nightclub and dance music sector is facing an unprecedented crisis. Since June 2020, we’ve been losing two nightclubs every week, but in the last six months, this has escalated to three per week. This rapid decline is devastating for our economy, culture, and communities.

“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.

“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. Without urgent government intervention, we risk losing a key part of the UK's cultural identity in dance music. We need immediate action to prevent further closures. Long-term reform won't matter if there are no venues left to benefit from it.”

 

What you can do

 

Photo: Harrison Haines / Pexels.com 

Without a venue to perform in, we won’t have a place for the next generation of talent to cut their teeth in. Without venues, the UK’s enviably vibrant dance music scene can’t continue to bless us with arms-in-the-air moments, laughs, and memories on the dance floor. So what can you do to help? 

If there’s a club in your community that you love, one of the easiest (and most fun) ways to help is by attending its events. You can also attend events to help support local and up-and-coming artists. If you can’t attend, you can share and post their events to help spread the word. Play an active part in your local nightlife scene and celebrate it when you can. 

 

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Check out our What's On Guide to discover more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.

 

 

  

 

 

Header image credit: Jacob Morch / Pexels.com