Iconic nightlife venues need to be recognised for their role in benefitting our cultural heritage. Nightlife venues are hubs for creativity, expression and friendships, and therefore require protection. As a cultural institution, clubs will be less vulnerable to gentrification by investors, developers, and landlords.
Nightclubs have been on a steep decline since the turn of the decade; nightlife operators are tackling operational costs, negative consumer trends and inconsistent licensing issues. Industry giants are toppling by the day.
France and Germany have both reclassified their best clubs and live event venues as cultural institutions, and their nightlife economy is beginning to thrive. Britain needs to follow suit before the industry becomes unrecoverable.
Nightclub owners are embracing the experiential culture. By diversifying a nightlife business’s offering, it opens up the venue to new audiences. Reinvention can lead to extended opening hours and additional revenue streams. Whether it’s by capitalising on the competitive socialising market, or creating a ‘through the day’ experience, nightlife is being reinvented brick-by-brick.
Can large-scale iconic clubs profit by stopping in time and delivering the same experience? Share your opinion on what works – Competitive Socialising, Silent Discos, Daytime Clubbing Events, Gaming, Inventive Menus, Trend Hopping. Will we see the face of British nightlife change completely?
Of course, reinvention can only do so much. With an average of three clubs closing each week, we need to share what works in order to preserve the UK club scene. The Nightlife Revolution is an opportunity for you to have your say on what needs to change within the industry.
Over the past four years, the UK has lost 37% of clubs. 10 clubs close every month. Without change, the UK’s nightclub culture will be extinct by 2029.
To stop the death of nightclubs, hospitality leaders need to look both externally and internally. Operators need to increase petitioning efforts, because nightlife businesses will only survive through an improvement to financial support. Any further reduction in business rates relief is unsustainable. VAT cuts, smoking regulations, national insurance, alcohol duty, noise complaints, policing, landlords – Nightclub owners are fighting a losing battle.
While long-term reform is welcome, it will come too late for many nightlife businesses. The sector needs immediate support and guidance to stop irreplaceable nightclubs disappearing by the day. A revolution is coming.
By creating a thinktank, operators can share solutions, discuss how best to overcome nation-wide challenges, and support the sector as a collective.
7 out of 10 nightclub owners tell us they are barely breaking even. The sector’s profitability likelihood is a serious problem, and is steering away new investors. Business owners are now relying on depleting funds, increasing their debt to survive, rather than increasing prices for customers they serve everyday working day. Clubs need customers, just as we believe the British way of life needs a thriving nighttime economy.
We must look to improve footfall across the nightlife sector. The everyday customer has become increasingly experiential, prioritising social media friendly venues and big-ticket events. We need to remind them of the adrenaline and ecstasy that can only be found on a dancefloor.
Operators should not have to justify their pricing; dealing with complaints and reviews and taking the blame for something that has been forced upon them. Nightlife businesses must stick to their ethos and not have to comprise on quality. It’s why a push to draw in more customers is essential, to maintain the quality and affordability of a good night-out.
Nightclub owners are embracing the experiential culture. By diversifying a nightlife business’s offering, it opens up the venue to new audiences. Reinvention can lead to extended opening hours and additional revenue streams. Whether it’s by capitalising on the competitive socialising market, or creating a ‘through the day’ experience, nightlife is being reinvented brick-by-brick.
Can large-scale iconic clubs profit by stopping in time and delivering the same experience? Share your opinion on what works – Competitive Socialising, Silent Discos, Daytime Clubbing Events, Gaming, Inventive Menus, Trend Hopping. Will we see the face of British nightlife change completely?
Of course, reinvention can only do so much. With an average of three clubs closing each week, we need to share what works in order to preserve the UK club scene. The Nightlife Revolution is an opportunity for you to have your say on what needs to change within the industry.
