UK Nightlife Contribution Doesn’t Stop at Revenue, NTIA Report Says

A joint report by the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) and the Association for Electronic Music (AFEM) urges the UK government to twig nightlife’s cultural value.

According to the report, UK music temples account for 1.6% of the gross domestic product and create 425,000 jobs across the country. Despite the sector’s £36.4 billion yearly contribution to the country’s GDP, nightlife’s contribution to the UK economy “far exceeds the revenue it generates.” 

On top of its financial input, the report claims that artists, DJs, clubs, and labels transcended the status of the economic assets and became a core part of the country’s culture. 

By studying more than 45 academic papers and articles spanning over two decades of research, the report found that dance music events create a sense of belonging. Besides its community appeal, beat-fueled nights out promote clubbers’ well-being and help shape their identities. 

NTIA’s CEO Michael Kill described the report as a useful tool for society to acknowledge the nightlife industry as “one of the most important economic and cultural movements of the future.” 

“Dance music has inspired millions of people, and given them a hunger to dig deeper into music heritage to find new sounds, a new rhythm to listen to, create and produce.” 

Earlier this month, an NTIA report revealed that one in three UK nightclubs could close by the end of 2022, with 14 nightlife hubs closing monthly. 

There are 1,068 running clubs in the UK nightlife – a 26.14% decrease compared to pre-COVID-19.