So, who does gain from this? As an owner of some of the major UK venues states, it's all about property development. Even shops, pubs and cinemas are fighting a losing battle. He also explains that the councils doesn't ackowledge how much revenue there is in the night time industry. We then see some club footage from various venues, with an aftershot of them now being construction sites for new commercial buildings. Speaking to one of the property developers, he says they want to create spaces to "envigorate the community." When asked about destroying these venues, he describes them by saying that after the license has been revoked following the case with councils, "it's just space."
Annie Mac also discusses the alternatives where the club life continues, including illegal raves because the mainstream do not offer much anymore. Daytime parties are another option being used by many promoters to keep the movement alive. Speaking of new options, the concept is presented that Boiler Room are developing virtual reality clubbing. so, just pop on a headset and experience it from your living room in your PJs... Probably not an idea we're going to be rooting for in all honesty, but it's interesting to see how technology is growing rapidly to be able to do that.
There is some hope as the mayor of London has taken it upon his team to protect the night life and create a ripple effect across the country. The appointed individual for this project also owns her own event night in the city and is helping save venues. She says that new flats and builds will be "mindful" to the entertainment industry with sound-proofing and specific layout considerations.
Annie Mac ends the show with the statement: "people will always find a way to party."
________________________________
Almost half of the UK’s nightclubs have closed down over the past decade.
In this film, broadcaster and international DJ Annie Mac investigates who is killing our nightlife.
Is it property developers, the police or local councils who are contributing to the decline? Or is it simply the fact young people are changing the way they go about partying, with the advent of all-day parties, illegal raves and the internet?
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04nkgcm
21