Over 80% of nightclubs and live music locations could face extinction before the end of February if they do not receive government support, a nighttime community organisation has warned.
The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) says that hardship caused by 11 months of closures has meant this month could be “the last stand” for many late-night venues – and is calling for sector-specific support for the worst-hit businesses.
A recent survey of over 100 nightclubs has revealed that 88% are over two months in rent arrears, whilst 86% have been forced to make redundancies.
According to NTIA, the data also showed that 43% of nightclubs had received no grant support at any point during the pandemic.
Company CEO Michael Kill has called the situation a “tragedy for UK culture” – expressing concern that planning legislation may see in-debt buildings being claimed back by landlords and turned into housing.
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Michael Kill – NTIA CEO
Kill stated: “Throughout this pandemic and the restrictive measures levied against the sector, it is clear that these businesses are being systematically eradicated from society.”
“The current proposed changes in planning reform under permitted development rights is a huge threat to the sector as this has the potential to allow for the demolition and rebuilding of ‘vacant and redundant’ light industrial buildings as homes.
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“Given that over 88% of nightclub businesses are over two quarters of rent in arrears, we are poised for a windfall of landlords at the end of March when the Forfeiture Moratoria comes to end, reclaiming their property and utilising this mechanism to convert many of our much loved cultural spaces and social environments into housing.”
The NTIA is now calling on the government to deliver a tailored financial package and clear roadmap for reopening.
Former Hacienda resident Graeme Park labelled the government’s response to the crisis “highly frustrating and disappointing”.
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The DJ stated: “The cultural significance of this vibrant and varied sector has given employment to many for decades and now faces an uncertain future.
“We need the government to enter into meaningful discussion to help support a sector that is recognised around the world for its creativity before it’s too late.”
StockSnap / Pixabay
Manchester musician DJ Paulette claims the arts and events sector has been “unable to operate to any effective level” since March 2020.
“Whilst rents and taxes continue to cripple businesses, this situation is reaching critical mass,” she added.
“A watertight rescue package is needed in order to support and restore the sector and to help it to return to world-beating form.”
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A £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund was created in 2020 by the government to help keep venues alive – but several nightclubs have continued to suffer hardship.
In November, iconic Manchester nightclub 42s launched a fundraiser due to “little financial assistance from the government beyond the furlough scheme”, generating more than £21,000 in the process.
Sounds From The Other City festival in Salford also announced it would be suspending its 2021 edition and running a campaign to raise money from fans in the hope of making next year’s event possible.
So far, music fans are doing their bit to keep live music and clubbing alive. But government assistance may be necessary to secure the future of many venues in the nighttime industry.
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Boyzone to reunite for exclusive New Year’s Eve special on the BBC
Danny Jones
2025 has very much been the year of the comeback – be it Oasis, Britpop fashion in general, or short bobs and pixie cuts – so it’s only fitting that we round off the calendar with one last reunion, as throwback boyband Boyzone are set to feature on a TV special on the BBC this New Year’s Eve.
Turns out ‘All That I Need’ to make a year memorable is a load of 1990s nostalgia.
Now, obviously, despite plenty of other music names enjoying a second renaissance over the past 12 months or so, nothing is ever going to be quite as big as the Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour.
However, if you asked us to guess which group from the era were also going to reunite this year back in January, there’s not a chance we would’ve said Boyzone.
Boyzone are telling us about coming back together for one final run in their most unforgettable concerts yet 🎤
After news first began circulating earlier this week, it has now been confirmed that musician turned presenter Ronan Keating will be getting back together with two of his former bandmates.
Joining the 48-year-old for ‘Ronan & Friends: A New Year’s Eve Party’, ex-Boyzone members Keith Duffy and Shane Lynch are part of an exciting live music lineup.
Other names include actor and singer, Shona McGarty, who recently starred on season 25 of I’m A Celeb, as well as fellow 90s pop artist Louise Redknapp and singer-songwriter Calum Scott.
The exclusive reunion comes after the success of the recently aired Boyzone: No Matter What documentary show.
Spread across three parts on Sky, the docuseries (named after their hit song from 1998) looks back on the career and journey up the charts back in their heyday, all the way up to the present. After seemingly striking a chord with fans and the lads themselves, it looks like they’re not done after all…
Yes, not only is the festive TV special going to see three of the original members performing alongside each other again, but
Here’s hoping that turns into a springboard for something even bigger, and we get a Manchester arena show sometime soon.
As for the programme itself, ‘Ronan & Friends: A New Year’s Eve Party’ will be broadcast on BBC One and made available on BBC iPlayer from Wednesday, 31 December 2025.
A candlelit Queen tribute concert is returning to Manchester
Danny Jones
Yes, you read that right: a candlelit concert dedicated to the one and only Queen, with a spectacular West End Cast and a talented live rock band, is coming to Manchester city centre in January.
In fact, it’s coming home, as this wonderful event started right here in 0161 back in 2021.
Concerts by Candlelight themselves host concerts up and down the country at various points throughout the year, but their much-loved ‘Queen by Candlelight‘ special knows all about lighting up Manc venues.
Having since gone on to become an internationally acclaimed live concert experience, we’re glad we still get to see the ‘Princes of the Universe’ on our doorstep.
Credit: Concerts by Candlelight (supplied)
With the likes of Bridgewater Hall and the magical Manchester Monastery all having played host to the promotion on many ocassions, this time Queen by Candlelight is coming to the legendary Manchester Opera House in the new year.
One of our most historic and legendary theatres, it’s only fitting, really, that they be chosen to welcome a night of equally iconic tunes.
But it’s worth reminding more casual fans that these aren’t just British rock and pop anthems; Queen‘s discography is one that still has global recognition to this day.
That’s why this specific show has been taken to virtually every corner of the world, with the incredibly talented cast of singers and musicians delighting audiences in Dubai, Australia, New Zealand and New York, to domestic crowds here in town and down in London’s West End.
‘Queenies’ or ‘Darlings’, as Freddie Mercury used to call them, can expect all the big hits, from ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘We Are The Champions’, to ‘It’s a Kind of Magic’ and ‘Who Wants to Live Forever’ and plenty more from the back catalogue.
Here’s a glimpse of what’s in store this coming January:
With tickets already flying out fast, we really would recommend securing your seats early before they inevitably sell out.
To quote the promoters themselves, “this spectacular celebration of Queen’s biggest hits is guaranteed to rock you.”
Coming to the Manchester Opera House on Tuesday, 6 January, you can book your tickets for Queen by Candlelight right HERE.
And if you’ve never been to one of their candlelit events before, you only need to see how much of a ball we had at their country event earlier this year to find out how much fun they are…
The Manc -
4th February 2021 
