Number of late-night hospitality venues falls by 2.8% in 2024
Nightclubs have borne the brunt of these closures, with numbers having dropped 33.2% following the impact of Covid lockdowns
Britain’s late-night hospitality sector had a total of 2,264 nightclubs, late-night bars and casinos at the end of 2024, spelling a reduction of 2.8% in a year and 25.2% less than pre-pandemic, according to CGA by NIQ’s first edition of the Night Time Economy Market Monitor.
Nightclubs have borne the brunt of these closures, with numbers having dropped 33.2% following the impact of Covid lockdowns, high inflation and pressure on consumer spending over the past five years.
However, venues in the wider evening economy, which also includes sites where evening forms a major part of trading rose by 3.9% to 16,004 in 2024 – equivalent to around 12 net new openings every week.
This rise partly reflects the success of bars, which rose 5.4% in just 12 months. There was particularly sharp growth (24.4%) in themed bars, cocktail bars (17.4%) and craft bars (14.3%).
Venues offering competitive socialising and other interactive experiences have also been among the fastest growing of any hospitality channel in recent years.
According to the monitor, which came about in partnership with the NNTIA, northern cities including Liverpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Leeds saw the number of late-night venues rise by more than 4% in 2024.
NTIA members have expressed concerns about trading in 2025 and the impact of new labour costs in the government’s budget, with only 13% of members feeling optimistic about the market over the next 12 months – while 65% feel pessimistic.
Michael Kill, CEO of the NTIA, said: “The findings of this report clearly illustrate the immense challenges our sector continues to face. While the night-time economy remains a £153.91bn powerhouse, we cannot ignore the fact that growth is slowing and operating costs are rising at unsustainable levels. Many businesses, especially small medium enterprises and the cultural sectors, are struggling to maintain profitability despite consumer demand.
“Adding to these concerns is the uncertainty presented by the impending tax increase cliff edge, the rise in National Insurance contributions for employers, the increase in the National Living Wage, and the reduction in business rates relief. With no sign of a U-turn on these critical policy changes, the financial burden on businesses is set to increase further, threatening jobs and “livelihoods across the sector.”
He added: “The decline in employment across vital sectors such as pubs and clubs is deeply concerning, signalling the need for urgent government intervention and support. We call on policymakers to recognise the fundamental role the night-time economy plays in the UK’s broader economic and cultural landscape and to take decisive action to safeguard its future.”
