The number of late-night venues closures has reached an all-time high, with one in four businesses lost since 2020, according to the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA).

The NTIA said data from the recently published Night Time Economy Monitor shows that 800 late-night venues have closed in the past five years leaving 2,424 still operating. The association said it has seen three closures per week during the past three months alone, creating what its warns are ‘night-time deserts’ across the country.

The late-night sector has contracted 26.4% since March 2020, compared with the 14.2% contraction seen across the wider hospitality sector, according to the NTIA. The research found that the decline in wider night-time economy venues is evident across all UK regions, although Wales and London are among the hardest hit, seeing declines of -16.8% and -15.3% since 2020.

“We’re witnessing the loss of important social infrastructure from our towns and cities. Nightclubs and late-night venues are more than just places to dance – they’re cultural institutions, economic engines and cornerstones of community life,” said NTIA CEO Michael Kill.

The research also found that across the UK’s major cities, Birmingham has experienced the largest decline in late-night venues, at -27.5%, while Greater London’s late-night venue numbers have dropped 20.8%. The capital now has 343 late-night venues, compared with 433 in March 2020. Edinburgh has seen a gradual decline in late-night venues, falling 13% since March 2020 to 47 in June 2025, while Liverpool has also seen a steady decline, dropping 13.9% to 93 late night venues in June 2025.

“These figures are deeply worrying,” said NTIA chair Sacha Lord. “Night-time venues are not just businesses, they are cultural hubs, training grounds for artists, and vital contributors to local economies. Losing one in four since 2020 risks creating ‘night-time deserts’ and costing more jobs across the sector. We need urgent action: a VAT cut, business rates reform, and a reversal of NIC thresholds to protect venues, sustain employment, and ensure our cities remain vibrant after dark for generations to come.”

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