Jamie MorrisSouth of England and
Tom MurrayBBC Radio Solent
A new nightclub in Southampton has opened its doors for the first time despite industry-wide challenges.
Dan Corry who is the manager of Circuit said he hoped to “create a space” for great music at a reasonable price.
But it seems to be bucking a trend, as in the last five years about 400 clubs have closed in Britain – more than a third of the total number.
We have been speaking to industry bodies and other local entertainment venues about their struggles and the future of the night time economy.
Circuit has been open since early September, with Mr Corry saying they had a “busier than expected” start to trading.
He said: “We have a huge community of customers here, we’re speaking to them on their level.
“Everyone knows what we are… what we charge and what we deliver.”
One unusual attraction the club offers, its ball pit, has been popular with attendees.
Nearly all of those we spoke to on a recent Saturday night said that was a draw for them, but most also spoke of nights out becoming more rare due to the cost of living.
A study by the Night Time Industries Association showed 68% of people reported the current economic climate had reduced how much they go out.
CEO Michael Kill said this was one of the many challenges facing the industry.
He said it has also been hit by the government’s increase in national insurance contributions and reduction in business rates relief.
“We also have to factor in the non-fiscal side which is safety, transport and also quite an onerous licensing legislation which I think really hinders sometimes,” he said.
More than 1,000 night time entertainment businesses have closed in the south and south east in the last five years.
Last year Halo in Bournemouth closed suddenly after more than a decade of trading – blaming a rise in the cost of living.
Even the popular grassroots music venue Chaplins in Bournemouth – voted the Best Community Pub of 2025 – has had to find ways to adapt in order to survive.
Managing Director Harry Seccombe said they have had to find another £100,000 since the chancellor’s decision to increase national insurance and the national living wage.
He said: “We built a smokehouse and we have a smokehouse menu, so rather than cut our budgets for the entertainment we’ve stripped out costs as much as we can but it’s still very difficult to trade.”
A consultation to reform the 2003 Licensing Act is to be discussed in November ahead of the Autumn Budget.
It is part of an attempt by the government to reduce regulatory burdens for pubs, bars and nightclubs by 25% by the end of this Parliament.
