London clubs may shut over energy prices

Britain's nightlife, which struggled to survive when the pandemic kept revelers at home, is facing an uphill battle again as the cost-of-living crisis squeezes promoters and punters alike.

Nightclubs are being hit by rocketing energy bills, while inflation has pushed consumer confidence to a record low and convinced many people to cut out their non-essential spending.

The trend is threatening to close more of the establishments that have helped make the UK a destination for tourists and which contributed $55.4 billion a year to the economy before the pandemic, according to the Night Time Industries Association.