Are temporary nightclubs the future of London’s night scene?

Venue owners say they are struggling to get late licences
printworks Luke Dyson

What is the future of London nightlife? Getting late licences in the capital is becoming increasingly difficult, putting businesses at risk, or forcing them to move to the edge of the city.

Rob Star of Electric Star pubs once held warehouse parties for thousands of ravers until finding licenced spaces became too difficult, prompting him to run venues with earlier closing times. “Everybody knows in London the licencing environment is always getting tougher. As areas get gentrified, people start taking over what were industrial areas, making them residential,” he tells us.

Industrial nightclub Printworks is one example, closing this weekend, in favour of corporate development on the site. “It is worrying for nightlife because where do we go next? Is there anywhere in London where we can have a nightclub, or we can open a new all-night licenced premises?”

London Night Czar, Amy Lamé, says: “Licencing is the responsibility of borough councils, but I continue to work closely with councils to encourage them to be more business-friendly.” She says the number of 24-hour licences has increased by around 100 in the last five years.

Bradley Zero, DJ and co-founder of Jumbi in Peckham, is appealing for signatures to keep his bar going. “Our future is under threat until we get our late licence approved,” he wrote on Instagram.

“When you operate late at night, you’re under pressure from the police, the council and it’s much easier to operate a venue that closes earlier,” Rob Star explains.

Pressures don’t stop there. The future generation of clubbers want venues to prioritise safety. Emma Kay, founder of WalkSafe Pro app says, “Gen Z are very vocal when places don’t have safety initiatives in place. If venues don’t do more it will hinder the night-time economy.”

Given today’s challenges, the era of 20-year licences granted to the likes of Ministry of Sound and Fabric may be over, but perhaps all is not lost for custodians of London’s night scene. Star predicts temporary licences are the future. The Cause had a temporary licence in Tottenham, and now, the popular night out has a new home 60 Dock Road in Canning Town. “That space is amazing. For me it’s one of the best clubs in London,” he says.

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