The Nightlife Revolution is a project which aims to bring together venue owners and hospitality staff. The project is ran by members of NDML and will give a platform for industry leaders to shed light on the challenges affecting businesses, and the key statistics that need to be known.
We wish to build a wall of supporters and a collective forum to say “Enough is Enough – Nightlife is done with being Forgotten.”
The Nightlife Revolution was created because of the failings of the Government to adequately support nightclub and bar owners, and to reflect the strength and unity of the nighttime industry.
The British Nightlife Industry is critical to the national economy. It is considered the fifth largest industry, and is the biggest employer of under-30s. The nightlife economy accounts for 5% of the UK’s GDP, and yet has been constantly left out to dry by the Government and legislators.
The Government needs to get the nightlife sector onside and enable it to not just power hospitality, but also economic growth. Targeted support and strategic policy interventions will be essential.
While long-term reform is welcome, it will come too late for many nightlife businesses. The sector needs immediate support and guidance to stop irreplaceable nightclubs disappearing by the day.
In the future, nightlife venues need to be recognised for their role in benefitting our cultural heritage. Nightlife venues are hubs for creativity, expression and friendships, and therefore require protection. As a cultural institution, clubs will be less vulnerable to gentrification by investors, developers, and landlords. France and Germany have both reclassified their best clubs and live event venues as cultural institutions, and their nightlife economy is beginning to thrive. Britain needs to follow suit before the industry becomes unrecoverable.
Nightclub owners are embracing the experiential culture. Many are diversifying their offering in order to survive. No longer can large-scale iconic clubs profit by stopping in time and delivering the same experience. The Nightlife Revolution’s submission form and formum is an opportunity for anyone to share their opinion on what works – Competitive Socialising, Silent Discos, Daytime Clubbing Events, Gaming, Inventive Menus, Trend Hopping.
Of course, reinvention can only do so much. With an average of three clubs closing each week, we need to share what works in order to preserve the UK club scene. The Nightlife Revolution is an opportunity for you to have your say on what needs to change within the industry.
