UK nightclubs are “on the brink of extinction” and will vanish by the end of the decade if the current rate of closures continues, trade body The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has warned.
The projections are based on data revealing that, since March 2020, an average of three late-licensed music venues have shut down each week in the UK, leading to more than 150 closures annually.
The NTIA, which advocates for bars, pubs, and late-night venues in the UK, noted that, if the current trend of closures continues, the last club could shut by the end of 2029.
NTIA CEO Michael Kill said: “We are witnessing the systematic dismantling of the night-time economy. Our industry is not just about entertainment; it is about identity, community, and the economy.
“The loss of our venues means the loss of jobs, culture, and a vital part of the UK’s social fabric. Without urgent intervention, 31 December 2029, will be the last night out, and the end of a clubbing era that has defined generations.”
The NTIA cited recent statistics from CGA Nielsen it said showed that, between December 2023 and June 2024, 65 nightclubs closed their doors – an average of 11 closures per month, or around three a week.
To raise awareness about the issue, the NTIA has launched “The Last Night Out” campaign in collaboration with McCann London.
The initiative aims to bring attention to the “vital” role these spaces play in the UK's dance music culture and their impact on jobs, nightlife, and community culture.
The NTIA has also urged the UK government to extend business rates relief beyond April 2025 and to recognise nightclubs and venues as “cultural landmarks” similar to galleries and museums.
The association has called for policy reform and regulatory support, including a review of licensing laws, business rates, VAT and planning rules to support the industry.
In the past, the NTIA has criticised the UK's major political parties for their “lack of commitment” to the younger generation and the cultural sector, accusing them of “neglecting” the needs and voices of future voters.
In a joint statement, McCann London senior creatives Adam Taylor-Smith and Stephen Yeates said: “We have just waved goodbye to a government that seemed to have little time for culture and the arts, so we are hoping the newly elected one will have a lot more. Night clubs are more than sound systems and wristbands.
“They are vital organisations that provide careers, create friendships, inspire generations of artists and give people a place where they can truly celebrate their eclecticism as one after-dark family. This work is a bittersweet celebration of the Night Club community, and a warning that that community might fracture sooner than we think.”
