Britain’s late-night economy is at risk of losing up to 10,000 more venues and 150,000 jobs by 2028 unless the Chancellor delivers urgent support in the Autumn Budget, industry leaders have warned.
The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) said rising costs, fragile consumer confidence and the threat of further tax increases have pushed the sector to the brink, with many operators poised to close in the New Year if measures go against them.
The crisis is most acute among grassroots and independent venues — the clubs, bars, festivals and cultural spaces that underpin the UK’s nightlife and creative industries. These sites, the NTIA said, are part of the “cultural and social fabric” of towns and cities, providing essential platforms for electronic music, counterculture businesses and emerging creative talent.
The latest Night Time Economy Market Monitor, produced by CGA by NIQ and the NTIA, shows the scale of the problem. Late-night venues have fallen 28% since March 2020, with nearly 5% of that decline occurring in the past 12 months alone. Independent operators have been hit hardest, down more than 30%, double the rate of larger chains.
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