UK clubs could be “extinct” by the end of the decade, NTIA warns

UK clubs could be driven to extinction by the end of the decade, according to the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), which has identified when the final dancefloor will fall silent if the current rate of club closures continues. 

According to the organisation, which represents bars, pubs, venues and other after dark businesses, unless the economics of nightlife change, clubs as we know them will disappear from British towns, cities and culture by 31st December 2029. 

The projection is based on the rate of closure since March 2020. In the past four years, three late licensed music venues have shuttered in Britain each week. Equating to 37% of all nightclubs in the UK, NTIA has now launched The Last Night Out campaign with communications giant McCann London to raise awareness about the crisis, and the possible “dance floor doomsday”.

“We are witnessing the systematic dismantling of the night-time economy,” said Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association. “Our industry is not just about entertainment; it’s about identity, community, and the economy. The loss of our venues means the loss of jobs, culture, and a vital part of the UK’s social fabric. Without urgent intervention, December 31, 2029, will be the last night out, and the end of a clubbing era that has defined generations.”

The NTIA is now making a number of key demands to the UK Government, such as an extension of business rates relief beyond April 2025, and the recognition of nightclubs and venues as cultural institutions. The organisation is also calling for policy reform and regulatory support, including revisiting licensing laws, business rates, VAT, and planning rules to provide a more supportive environment for the industry. 
 
“We’ve just waved goodbye to a government that seemed to have little time for culture and the arts, so we’re hoping the newly elected one will have a lot more,” said Adam Taylor-Smith, Senior Creative at McCann London. “Night clubs are more than sound systems and wristbands. They’re vital organisations that provide careers, create friendships, inspire generations of artists, and give people a place where they can truly celebrate their eclecticism as one after dark family. This work is a bittersweet celebration of the Night Club community, and a warning that that community might fracture sooner than we think”.

The public is being encouraged to lobby their MP via email. You can find full details of how to get involved here.