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.
We must be rid of the fear that spiking is omnipresent at nightlife venues. Spiking is a societal issue, 35% of spiking incidents take place in residencies. Yet, since being deemed an ‘epidemic’ by mainstream media in 2021, the anxiety around spiking has spawned police investigations, local anti-clubbing campaigns, boycotts, increase entry searches and national inquiries.
A main issue is that spiking is not a recognised crime. There is no single offence that covers spiking. The act of spiking is illegal across multiple crimes, and yet because it historically has not been defined in law, there is not sufficient data recording the crime.
Medical experts doubt the reality of the practice is nowhere near as widespread as the publicity suggests. Yet, through an association with spiking and drugs, the nightlife sector’s image has been tainted. The great unification and accessibility of British nightlife needs to be recognised and celebrated, not vilified.
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.
We must be rid of the fear that spiking is omnipresent at nightlife venues. Spiking is a societal issue, 35% of spiking incidents take place in residencies. Yet, since being deemed an ‘epidemic’ by mainstream media in 2021, the anxiety around spiking has spawned police investigations, local anti-clubbing campaigns, boycotts, increase entry searches and national inquiries.
A main issue is that spiking is not a recognised crime. There is no single offence that covers spiking. The act of spiking is illegal across multiple crimes, and yet because it historically has not been defined in law, there is not sufficient data recording the crime.
Medical experts doubt the reality of the practice is nowhere near as widespread as the publicity suggests. Yet, through an association with spiking and drugs, the nightlife sector’s image has been tainted. The great unification and accessibility of British nightlife needs to be recognised and celebrated, not vilified.
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.
While large-scale iconic profit from stopping in time and delivering experience. Share your experiences of what works – Competitive Socialising, Silent Discos, Daytime Clubbing Events, Gaming, Inventive Menus, Trend Hopping.
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.
