London has lost more than 1,600 bars, restaurants and nightclubs since the pandemic, report reveals

More than 1,600 pubs, bars, restaurants and nightclubs have closed down across London since the pandemic, new figures reveal.

Analysis by the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has highlighted the devastating impact the cost-of-living crisis and the pandemic has had on the night-time economy.

The figures reveal that 1,608 bars, restaurants and clubs have closed down in the city of London between March 2020 and December 2023.

The report reveals that in the wider London region, including parts of the home counties, 3,011 businesses have had to close their doors during the same period.

Michael Kill, CEO of the NTIA, said these figures are a “stark reminder of the devastation caused by the last three years, and will without doubt anger and frustrate people within the sector”.

“As we confront the aftermath of the pandemic and ongoing operational challenges, it’s essential to acknowledge the resilience and diversity among businesses in our sector,” he said. Our sector has been neglected twice by the government in financial support during budget allocations, subjected to political manoeuvres aimed at securing votes.

“These statistics unmistakably reflect the crisis gripping our sector, leaving the government with no choice but to take decisive action.”

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This report comes as many of London’s grassroot music venues are calling for support.

According to the Music Venues Trust 2023 annual report, last year was the worst for venue closures in a decade. According to the report, across the UK, two venues closed down every single week - 125 in total.

Despite grassroots music venues contributing over £501 million to the UK economy, and providing more than 28,000 jobs, their profit margin last year was just 0.5%.

Although those at the very top of the live sector continue to rake in massive profits, 38% of grassroot venues made a loss in 2023.

In London, several grassroots music venues have had to resort to crowdfunding to help keep their doors open. These include Bush Hall in Shepherd’s Bush, Luna in Leytonstone and The Post Bar in Tottenham.

Charlie Raworth and Emma Hutchinson, the current owners of Bush Hall, wrote on their Crowdfunding page: “Since the pandemic sustaining live music continues to be incredibly challenging.

“The marketplace and audience perspective has dramatically changed, compounded by the cost of living crisis with declining per head spend, spiralling utility and insurance costs. This leaves us with devastatingly low margins across the sector. We are now sitting in the red month on month.

“Every penny we have had has been ploughed back into overheads. In April the minimum wage goes up which only raises the burden for hospitality places and will increase our supplier costs yet again with budget increases also expected. 

“We have always been a rare breed of independent, self-sustainable grassroots music and events venue. We now seriously need funding support and investment, so we can continue our musical journey and not be forced to market during the recent and ongoing recession.”

Read our guide to London’s grassroot venues in need of saving. There are a number of crowdfunders you can donate to to help support them.