Latest news with #PryzmKingston
Sinar Daily
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Sinar Daily
No lights, no music: Is this the end of the UK nightclub era?
LONDON - Is the party over? UK nightclubs are famed around the world, but Covid and inflation have hit the sector hard, forcing businesses to reinvent themselves to attract new generations to the dance floor. Pryzm Kingston is a well-known club in southwest London popular with students, where artists like Billie Eilish, Rod Stewart and Stormzy have performed. But the converted cinema closed its doors for renovation last month, with its owners saying it was time to "look to the future and reimagine this venue for the next generation of partygoers." It will be transformed into a smaller club and a dance bar -- "creating venues that reflect what people are looking for now," they added. Many other British clubs are also trying to re-adjust after around a third of them, about 400 venues, have shut down since 2020, according to the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA). A man walks past the boarded up entrance to the closed-down PRYZM Kingston club in Kingston, west of London, on July 31. Photo by Justin Tallis/AFP "Whilst nightclubs were in gentle decline prior to Covid, the pandemic profoundly accelerated things," Tony Rigg, a music industry consultant, told AFP, noting that the cost-of-living crisis had sent bills and rents soaring. As the first pints of the evening were poured in central London, 26-year-old account manager Conor Nugent told AFP he only goes clubbing for "special occasions," after asking himself "if it's really worth it." Like 68 percent of 18-to-30-year-olds, the Londoner has cut back on nights out for financial reasons and prefers to save up for concerts and events. Rigg pointed out that Covid-19 caused a "cultural shift" among Gen Z - those born between 1997 and 2012 - who generally drink less alcohol and largely miss out on the "rite of passage of going out, experiencing clubs and learning some social behaviours." - Lure of Paris, Berlin - Rekom UK, the company behind iconic clubs like Pryzm and Atik, filed for bankruptcy in 2024, shutting down 17 venues across the country, citing multiple pressures. About 20 others, including Kingston, were acquired by Neos Hospitality, which decided to convert some into dance bars or host alcohol-free events. "The sector has to evolve otherwise it will become obsolete," Rigg acknowledged. To stop hemorrhaging party-seekers lured by Berlin or Paris, London Mayor Sadiq Khan launched an independent working group called the "Nightlife Taskforce," which is set to publish a report later this year. "One of the reasons why people love London is our nightlife, our culture," Khan told AFP. "When I speak to mayors in Paris, in New York and Tokyo, I'm jealous of the powers they have" especially on licensing issues, he said, adding he was looking at other cities like Paris "with envy" as it enjoys a nighttime boom. He was granted approval in March to overrule certain local authorities who had forced pubs, restaurants, concert halls, and nightclubs to close early. The government has also announced plans to change regulations to support nightlife venues in certain areas. "Sadly, in the UK, we struggle with reputational issues and a narrative that makes (clubbing) more of a counterculture element rather than a real economic and cultural driver," NTIA head Michael Kill, who advocates for greater recognition of electronic music and club culture, told AFP. The night-time sector contributes a vital £153 billion ($203 billion) a year to the UK economy, employing around two million people, according to NTIA. And with London still enjoying a long, well-established reputation, all is not lost. The capital remains an "exciting" city, 25-year-old Carys Bromley who recently moved to London from the island of Guernsey, told AFP. "There's a lot of parties, clubs, and a big nightlife. The places stay open longer, it's busier, a bit more wild," she said. - AFP
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Goodnight, nightclubs
Some 400 avenues have closed their doors since 2020. Photo: AFP Is the party over? UK nightclubs are famed around the world, but COVID-19 and inflation have hit the sector hard, forcing businesses to reinvent themselves to attract new generations to the dance floor. Pryzm Kingston is a well-known club in southwest London popular with students, where artists like Billie Eilish, Rod Stewart, and Stormzy have performed. But the converted cinema closed its doors for renovation last month, with its owners saying it was time to "look to the future and reimagine this venue for the next generation of partygoers." It will be transformed into a smaller club and a dance bar — "creating venues that reflect what people are looking for now," they added. Many other British clubs are also trying to re-adjust after around a third of them, about 400 venues, have shut down since 2020, according to the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA). "Whilst nightclubs were in gentle decline prior to COVID-19, the pandemic profoundly accelerated things," Tony Rigg, a music industry consultant, told AFP, noting that the cost-of-living crisis had sent bills and rents soaring. As the first pints of the evening were poured in central London, 26-year-old account manager Conor Nugent told AFP he only goes clubbing for "special occasions," after asking himself "if it's really worth it." Like 68 per cent of 18-to-30-year-olds, the Londoner has cut back on nights out for financial reasons and prefers to save up for concerts and events. Rigg pointed out that Covid-19 caused a "cultural shift" among Gen Z — those born between 1997 and 2012 — who generally drink less alcohol and largely miss out on the "rite of passage of going out, experiencing clubs and learning some social behaviours." Lure of Paris, Berlin Rekom UK, the company behind iconic clubs like Pryzm and Atik, filed for bankruptcy in 2024, shutting down 17 venues across the country, citing multiple pressures. About 20 others, including Kingston, were acquired by Neos Hospitality, which decided to convert some into dance bars or host alcohol-free events. "The sector has to evolve otherwise it will become obsolete," Rigg acknowledged. To stop haemorrhaging party-seekers lured by Berlin or Paris, London Mayor Sadiq Khan launched an independent working group called the "Nightlife Taskforce," which is set to publish a report later this year. "One of the reasons why people love London is our nightlife, our culture," Khan told AFP. "When I speak to mayors in Paris, in New York and Tokyo, I'm jealous of the powers they have" especially on licensing issues, he said, adding he was looking at other cities like Paris "with envy" as it enjoys a nighttime boom. He was granted approval in March to overrule certain local authorities who had forced pubs, restaurants, concert halls, and nightclubs to close early. The government has also announced plans to change regulations to support nightlife venues in certain areas. "Sadly, in the UK, we struggle with reputational issues and a narrative that makes (clubbing) more of a counterculture element rather than a real economic and cultural driver," NTIA head Michael Kill, who advocates for greater recognition of electronic music and club culture, told AFP. The night-time sector contributes a vital GBP153 billion (USD203 billion) a year to the UK economy, employing around two million people, according to NTIA. And with London still enjoying a long, well-established reputation, all is not lost. The capital remains an "exciting" city, 25-year-old Carys Bromley who recently moved to London from the island of Guernsey, told AFP. "There's a lot of parties, clubs, and a big nightlife. The places stay open longer, it's busier, a bit more wild," she said.
NZ Herald
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Nightlife crisis - UK clubs adapt to survive post-pandemic challenges
Pryzm Kingston is being transformed into a smaller club and dance bar to meet new demands. Photo / AFP Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech. Pryzm Kingston is being transformed into a smaller club and dance bar to meet new demands. Photo / AFP Is the party over? Britain's nightclubs are famed around the world, but Covid and inflation have hit the sector hard, forcing businesses to reinvent themselves to attract new generations to the dance floor. Pryzm Kingston is a well-known club in southwest London popular with students, where artists like Billie Eilish, Rod Stewart, and Stormzy have performed. But the converted cinema closed its doors for renovation last month, with its owners saying it was time to 'look to the future and reimagine this venue for the next generation of partygoers'. It will be transformed into a smaller club and a dance bar – 'creating venues that reflect what people are looking for now', they added. Many other British clubs are also trying to readjust after around a third of them, about 400 venues, have shut down since 2020, according to the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA).
Int'l Business Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Int'l Business Times
Gen Z Shift, High Costs Force UK Nightclubs To Reinvent
Is the party over? UK nightclubs are famed around the world, but Covid and inflation have hit the sector hard, forcing businesses to reinvent themselves to attract new generations to the dance floor. Pryzm Kingston is a well-known club in southwest London popular with students, where artists like Billie Eilish, Rod Stewart, and Stormzy have performed. But the converted cinema closed its doors for renovation last month, with its owners saying it was time to "look to the future and reimagine this venue for the next generation of partygoers." It will be transformed into a smaller club and a dance bar -- "creating venues that reflect what people are looking for now," they added. Many other British clubs are also trying to re-adjust after around a third of them, about 400 venues, have shut down since 2020, according to the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA). "Whilst nightclubs were in gentle decline prior to Covid, the pandemic profoundly accelerated things," Tony Rigg, a music industry consultant, told AFP, noting that the cost-of-living crisis had sent bills and rents soaring. As the first pints of the evening were poured in central London, 26-year-old account manager Conor Nugent told AFP he only goes clubbing for "special occasions," after asking himself "if it's really worth it." Like 68 percent of 18-to-30-year-olds, the Londoner has cut back on nights out for financial reasons and prefers to save up for concerts and events. Rigg pointed out that Covid-19 caused a "cultural shift" among Gen Z -- those born between 1997 and 2012 -- who generally drink less alcohol and largely miss out on the "rite of passage of going out, experiencing clubs and learning some social behaviours." Rekom UK, the company behind iconic clubs like Pryzm and Atik, filed for bankruptcy in 2024, shutting down 17 venues across the country, citing multiple pressures. About 20 others, including Kingston, were acquired by Neos Hospitality, which decided to convert some into dance bars or host alcohol-free events. "The sector has to evolve otherwise it will become obsolete," Rigg acknowledged. To stop hemorrhaging party-seekers lured by Berlin or Paris, London Mayor Sadiq Khan launched an independent working group called the "Nightlife Taskforce," which is set to publish a report later this year. "One of the reasons why people love London is our nightlife, our culture," Khan told AFP. "When I speak to mayors in Paris, in New York and Tokyo, I'm jealous of the powers they have" especially on licensing issues, he said, adding he was looking at other cities like Paris "with envy" as it enjoys a nighttime boom. He was granted approval in March to overrule certain local authorities who had forced pubs, restaurants, concert halls, and nightclubs to close early. The government has also announced plans to change regulations to support nightlife venues in certain areas. "Sadly, in the UK, we struggle with reputational issues and a narrative that makes (clubbing) more of a counterculture element rather than a real economic and cultural driver," NTIA head Michael Kill, who advocates for greater recognition of electronic music and club culture, told AFP. The night-time sector contributes a vital GBP153 billion ($203 billion) a year to the UK economy, employing around two million people, according to NTIA. And with London still enjoying a long, well-established reputation, all is not lost. The capital remains an "exciting" city, 25-year-old Carys Bromley who recently moved to London from the island of Guernsey, told AFP. "There's a lot of parties, clubs, and a big nightlife. The places stay open longer, it's busier, a bit more wild," she said. A sign advertises the final night at the closed-down PRYZM Kingston club in Kingston, west of London, on July 31, 2025 AFP UK nightclubs are trying to reinvent themselves after some 400 venues have closed their doors since 2020 AFP
Time Out
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Kingston's iconic Pryzm nightclub is being split into two venues
Last weekend London said goodbye to an icon: Pryzm Kingston. After more than 20 glorious years of messy nights out and absurdly small gigs from stars like Stormzy, Billie Eilish, Rod Stewart and Billie Eilish, the Clarence Street club had its final party last Sunday (July 13). The shuttering of Pryzm Kingston marks the end of an era, no doubt – but it could also be the start of an entirely new one. Today (July 17) it's been confirmed that the site will be converted into two new venues as part of a £3 million makeover. Plans for the building were unveiled by Pryzm Kingston's then-new owners Neos Hospitality back in February, but we've since had further details. The two new venues will be named Circuit and Bonnie Rogues, and Circuit could open as soon as this summer. Two-room club Circuit will be on the first and second floors, and apparently be an 'electrifying late-night experience' that is 'built for pure celebrations', featuring 'cutting edge sound' and 'immersive lighting'. This is the venue pencilled in for a summer 2025 opening. Bonnie Rogues, meanwhile, will be on the old Pryzm's ground floor and sounds like more of a live music venue and pub than a club. In fact, Neos describes Bonnies as a modern British pub 'with a rebellious twist'. It's set for an autumn opening. Kingston's Pryzm occupied the Grade II-listed former Granada Cinema on Clarence Road. The cinema opened in 1939 and shut in 1987, before opening as an Oceana nightclub in 2003. We will, of course, have to wait and see whether these two venues can hold a candle to the legendary club they're taking over. Pryzm Kingston was particularly notable for its programming, as well as its events with nearby Banquet Records – though it sounds like the latter will continue. Russell Quelch, CEO at Neos Hospitality, said: 'This is a major opportunity to bring something fresh to Kingston. We've put a lot into creating venues that reflect what people are looking for now, something exciting, something fun and something you want to keep coming back to. 'We can't wait for the launch to showcase the new vibe and bring a brand-new, elevated experience to the town. We look forward to launching two great venues whilst continuing our partnership with Banquet records.' Exact opening dates for the two venues are yet to be revealed.
