"Club entry has effectively become a luxury purchase. Since the late 90s, average ticket prices have risen by well over 100%. To give one example, entry to KOKO has gone from around £6 in the late 90s to a median ticket price of £29.50 when adjusted for inflation. That fundamentally changes who can afford to participate in nightlife, particularly younger people."
"There's no doubt that the scene is facing challenges, big ones, at both the customer and operator level. For Ministry of Sound's Club Director Matt Long, "balancing rising operational costs and the cost of living with a constantly changing cultural landscape, while still staying creative and operating safely" is the number one struggle, with "ongoing pressures around licensing, redevelopment, and planning" also making things more complex for venues."
Over the last decade, 35% of grassroots venues and 61% of LGBTQ+ venues in London closed, and 37% of UK clubs have closed since March 2020. Notable closures and risks include G-A-Y Bar (shut in autumn 2025), G-A-Y Late (closed 2023), MOTH Club (threatened by proposed development), and Corsica Studios (closing in 2026). Tax and National Insurance policies have negatively impacted hospitality operators, prompting many restaurant closures. High cost of living continues to suppress consumer spending. Club entry has become a luxury; average ticket prices rose over 100% since the late 90s, changing affordability for younger people. Operators cite rising operational costs, licensing and planning pressures, and inconsistent regulation.
#london-nightlife #venue-closures #club-affordability #regulation-and-planning #hospitality-economics
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