Thursday 10 November 2022 12:14 PM One nightclub closes every two days in a decline that will see NO clubs left in ... trends now
Nightclubs could be wiped out in Britain by 2030 unless urgent action is taken to prevent more clubs from closing, industry chiefs have warned.
On average, one nightclub shuts its doors every two days in Britain - with 123 closures in the past nine months.
Around half of Britain's remaining venues could be lost in a year if the current trend continues, The Times reports.
Existing pressures on the hospitality industry have been compounded by the cost of living crisis, as consumers cut back spending to focus on soaring energy bills.
Small businesses themselves, many of which scraped through lockdown, are not protected by energy watchdog Ofgem's price cap and they face paying 20 per cent VAT on their gas and electricity, whereas most ordinary households pay five per cent.
Code nightclub in Sheffield is one of the latest venues into country forced to shut its doors as the cost of living crisis bites the night-time economy
The club was a legendary venue, popular with the city's young people and student population for over a decade
Illegal parties and rave culture could soon become the norm if the rate of closures continue, said Mike Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA).
Mr Kill said: 'Our industry was set up to create safe environments, which are well regulated, well policed and with first aid to ensure people can party safely.
'There is a concern that if we have the drop off we're expecting, people will be pushed into a position like they were during the pandemic of finding other social and cultural engagements that are unregulated and unsafe. If we're not careful, we'll end up going back to the late-Eighties rave culture.'
'It is a tragedy for UK culture. Nightclubs nurture up-and- coming talent and are also cultural and social hubs of communities which are at risk of being lost for ever.'
Small firms are pleading for the Government to step in over sky-high energy bills, which have soared by as much as 400 per cent in some cases, leaving many fearing they could be put out of business by the end of the year.
More than half of small companies — 54 per cent — fear their running costs could force them to close, according to a report by SME Insights and insurer Simply Business.
In Luton, famous punk and hard rock nightclub Edge never reopened its doors after closing for the
