New data reveals the UK could soon have less than 5,000 clubs

The hospitality sector has seen an overall net growth of 10,000 businesses. The worrying side to the findings is that the nightlife sector has declined exponentially, with several clubs closing their doors. 

Through analysis of data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), two software companies found that there had been an overall increase in registered hospitality businesses between 2019 and 2022. 

The case with pubs/bars does not mirror the generic growth. Over the same period, the continuation of a decade-long downtrend has continued with a net loss of -1300 venues. 

The data was analysed by Stampede and StoreKit, two hospitality-focused software companies. 

In 2010 there were 10,040 registered clubs in the UK, this fell to 8370 in 2015, fell again to 7420 in 2017 and then again to 6985 in 2021. Quite the decline. 

Data analysers predict that it’s highly feasible that the UK could soon have less than 5,000 clubs, particularly if COVID interruptions persist and capacities do not reach their full potential in the next years. 

The knock-on effect could be catastrophic. The nightlife sector could face financial turmoil. “It’s clear that drinks-focused businesses such as pubs, bars and clubs have all suffered more from the COVID restrictions than restaurants”, Stampede wrote in a blog. 

Christophe Delacroix, StoreKit CEO said: “With continued uncertainty, home-working & low footfall there’s no denying that the industry is facing an extremely tough few months.”