A third of UK nightclubs forced to close as Brits face dance floor 'deserts'

Nearly 380 nightclubs have closed in the past five years, leading to warnings of dance floor “deserts”.

The cost of living crisisand soaring bills for venue owners have been blamed for the rapid demise. Trade body the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) says a third of nightclubs across the country have shut since 2020, with the number falling from 1,240 venues to 863.

Among those closing in recent months are MooMoo in Southend, Essex, after seven years, and Niche Bar in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Rekom UK, the country’s largest nightclub operator and owner of the Atik and Pryzm chains, collapsed in February last year.

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Michael Kill, chief executive of NTIA, said: “Nightclubs and late-night venues are more than just places to dance - they’re cultural institutions, economic engines and cornerstones of community life.”

He insisted many people - including youngsters - still wanted to go clubbing but were being deterred by the cost of living crisis, concerns around lack of policing and safety at turning out time, and little to no public transport in the early hours in many areas of the country. It has coincided with soaring operational costs, including increases to the minimum wage and employers’ national insurance contributions (NICs) in April.

Research by the NTIA and CGA by NIQ showed one in four late-night venues have shut their doors since 2020, a total of nearly 800 businesses, The figure also include after-hours bars and other venues open past 11pm.

Across the UK’s major cities, Birmingham has seen the biggest decline in late-night venues,down 27.5% since 2020, while Greater London’s numbers have dropped by almost 21%. The capital now has 343 late-night venues, compared with 433 in March 2020.

Edinburgh has seen a gradual decline in late-night venues, falling 13% since March 2020 to a total of 47 in June 2025, while Liverpool has also seen a steady decline, dropping 13.9% to 93 late night venues in June 2025. Sacha Lord, NTIA chair, said “These figures are deeply worrying.

"Night-time venues are not just businesses - they are cultural hubs, training grounds for artists, and vital contributors to local economies. Losing one in four since 2020 risks creating ‘night-time deserts’ and costing more jobs across the sector. We need urgent action: a VAT cut, business rates reform, and a reversal of NIC thresholds to protect venues, sustain employment, and ensure our cities remain vibrant after dark for generations to come.”

There has also been talk of nightclubs suffering as younger people shun alcohol because of the health implications, something Mr Kill claimed has been overblown as a factor. He says clubs have responded by opening earlier in the evening, some from 7pm, to cater for those who want to go out dancing and socialising but without the hassles of getting home in the small hours of the morning.