07 August 2023 , 18:33
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Nightclub numbers have slumped to a record low, with more than 120 closing in the past year.
Nearly a third of Britain’s clubs shut their doors for good in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, figures revealed as the industry launched a plea for Government help. Heavy restrictions as we battled the pandemic hammered nightclubs’ trade for around two years.
And soaring costs for everything from labour to drinks and energy have continued to hit many venues hard. Figures from number-crunchers CGA for trade body the Night Time Industries Association show there were 873 nightclubs left by June of this year. This compared with 994 a year ago and 1,244 in June 2020.
The Pryzm nightclub in Cardiff has closed down (WalesOnline/Rob Browne)Recent closures include Pryzm in Cardiff, South and 5th Avenue in Manchester, The Arts Club in Liverpool, and Sheffield’s CODE. Michael Kill, chief executive of the NTIA, said the latest fall in nightclub numbers was “extremely alarming”. He added: “These businesses are facing some critical challenges, many not knowing if they will survive over the coming months. Some people have sunk their life savings into these businesses.”
The NTIA has called for targeted help in the Autumn Budget, if not before – including with VAT, energy, labour shortages and visas for live acts. Mr Kill said clubs’ trade has also been hit by the cost-of-living crisis as revellers cut back on spending.
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Code in Sheffield has also been closed downThere were fewer mid-week student nights and company events, he said, adding that nightclubs have a positive effect on mental and physical health. Ioan Roberts, owner of Liverpool’s 24 Kitchen Street, said business initially boomed after Covid rules ended.
But while trading is still “quite good”, things “are closer to the line” than he would like. Mr Roberts added: “We are one or two months away from being in financial difficulty.”