Chippenham's last nightclub set to close

The owner of Club E11evn says Chippenham's night-time economy has declined (file photo)

The last remaining nightclub in a Wiltshire town is to close for good from 1 February.

Club E11evn, which has run since 2005 in Chippenham, said the decision was "driven by rising operational costs and a decline in the late night economy within Chippenham".

Across the country, nightclubs are suffering a similar decline. The 2024 Night Time Industries Association report said the UK had 3,144 clubs in 2005, but that number had shrunk to 851 in 2023. The report said younger people had changed their habits, and the late-night market had diversified.

A spokesperson for the club said: "Many 18 to 21-year-olds are prioritising fitness and online gaming over traditional nightlife entertainment."

They said the pandemic had "indeed accelerated these changes".

"The electrification of the rail network has made neighbouring cities like Bath and Bristol more appealing, offering diverse entertainment and leisure options that draw people away from Chippenham," the spokesperson added.

"Having been a manger of nightclubs for over 25 years, I've seen how the younger generations' needs have focused on more online social interaction or meeting up for a coffee in the daytime rather than meeting at a nightclub or a bar.

"Festivals have also drawn the focus away from nightclubs offering big name acts and a sense of freedom that you don't get with a licensed premises."

Night-time economy 'thriving'

The leader of Chippenham Town Council told the BBC the town's night-time economy was "thriving", but that tastes had changed.

Councillor Desna Allen said: "We've had new bars open recently, for example one where people play board games, and there's lots going on in town.

"It will be a shame if people are going to lose their jobs, but our high street is changing and it depends what money people want to spend.

"A lot of people drink at home now and just don't spend the money behind the bar any more," she added.