A recent study by Obsurvant, commissioned by the Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) indicated young adults within the UK are participating in the British nightlife scene less and less.
The NTIA found a decline in night-time engagement, with 61% of surveyed 18 to 30 year olds stating they have been going out less than in the past year; with only 16% going out more after 10pm.
Some 68% also stated that the current economic climate has significantly reduced their nightlife participation, with 53% reporting to spend less compared with last year.
Nearly a third of individuals also expressed negative emotions such as fear or anxiety when being out at night, with women in particular reporting to have found these emotions arising more frequently.
Increasing concerns
More than half of women surveyed also said they were concerned around late-night travel options, with 69% of all those surveyed saying late night transport options that ran without issue, would cause increased levels of late night engagement.
Low Government confidence was also reportedly an issue, with more than half of those surveyed, in particular those feeling unsafe, said they had low confidence in the Government’s ability to address their concerns. With 89% of those feeling anxious, unsafe, or fearful lacking confidence in the Government’s ability to address these issues.
The study highlights a need for safer transport options, better street lighting, and extended public transport hours. It also calls to lower travel costs and increase policing.
NTIA, CEO Michael Kill, said “The results of this research confirm what we in the industry have been warning about for years—young people are being priced out of nightlife, and safety concerns are keeping them at home".
“If we do not act now to improve safety and transport infrastructure, we risk further decline in the sector and the social and economic benefits it brings”.
Obsurvant co-founder Alex Morrison also said: “Our research highlights the growing barriers young people face in accessing nightlife and the resulting impact on the industry, these economic and social challenges are more than just statistics—they reflect real anxieties and financial pressures that are fundamentally reshaping social habits and how people engage with nightlife.
Happier after a night out
The findings point to a clear need for action on a local and national scale to ensure nightlife remains safe, accessible, and economically viable for young people".
Meanwhile, Stonegate Group has also launched its ‘Get Britain Dancing’ campaign. Following the challenges the night-time sector is facing, Stonegate Group is encouraging the UK to embrace dance and engage in the sector more with the campaign, which aims to uniting people across the UK in the late-night sector and reviving UK night life.
Stonegate venues, including Walkabout and Popworld, are participating in a ‘nationwide night out’ where venues offer free entry and two complementary drinks across the UK, via the MiXR app.
The campaign will run from 21 February in specific Stonegate venues, and has recurring events on the third Friday of each month.
A Stonegate survey of 2,000 UK adults also revealed that 74% reported they felt happier after a good night out.
Where people come and enjoy themselves
Stonegate Group CEO David McDowall, said: “At Stonegate, we’re all about good times and great company, whether it’s hitting the dancefloor, enjoying great music, or just having a laugh with friends, we want our late-night venues to be the place where people come together and enjoy themselves.”