​Over 100 independent UK nightclubs have closed in the last 12 months, study shows

A new report from CGA Neilson reveals that over 100 of the UK’s independent nightclubs have closed down in the last 12 months.

Data collected suggests that more than 30% of clubs in the UK closed between June 2020 and June 2023, 12% of that in the last 12 months alone. Check out the report below.

This worrying fall in UK nightclubs is predicted to be down to the ongoing cost of living crisis and rising energy costs - challenges that the NTIA’s Michael Kill says could cause further closures before the end of the year.

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“The recent figures from CGA Neilson are extremely alarming, and if taken back to 2019 show an even more dramatic picture for these businesses, with losses nearer 40%,” he explains.

“These businesses are facing some critical challenges, with many not knowing whether they will survive over the coming months.”

Of the data collected, 991 independent clubs were shown to be active in the UK in June 2020, down to just 649 in June 2023.

“We have constantly highlighted to the Government the concerns around these businesses, particularly independent venues,” says Kill. “Without further support we may lose many more of these businesses before the end of the year.”

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In November, the NTIA expressed concerns that clubs in the UK were closing at a rate of 14 per month and predicted that one in three nightclubs would close by the end of 2022.

Since the beginning of 2022, some of the UK’s largest and best-loved nightclubs have been shuttered, including The Drumsheds, Werkhaus, Printworks, and The Cause. While the latter two were always slated to be temporary venues, owners of both The Drumsheds and Printworks, Broadwick Live, have worked closely with British Land over the years with regeneration development projects that have been accused of accelerating gentrification.

Simeon Aldred, co-owner and head of strategy at Broadwick Live, spoke to The Guardian in May about "the gentrification narrative" surrounding Printworks, and that the creation of the venue was "as much [British Land's] idea as ours".

Mixmag’s Cost Of Living Crisis series highlights the impacts that many venues and nightclubs are currently facing across the UK. Read it here.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter