In a significant shake-up for the UK’s nightlife industry, Rekom UK, the nation’s largest nightclub operator, has revealed a list of venue closures across the country due to financial struggles. Despite the grim news that 17 of its establishments will cease operations immediately, Brighton’s popular PRYZM nightclub has been spared, remaining a beacon for the city’s vibrant night scene.
Rekom UK, overseeing a portfolio of 50 bars, pubs, and late-night venues including the renowned Atik and Pryzm clubs, was compelled to enter administration in January after grappling with “challenging” trading conditions. The closures were announced following the company’s unsuccessful attempts to find buyers for the affected venues.
However, amidst the closures, there is a silver lining for the nightlife community. A total of 24 Rekom UK venues, including Brighton’s PRYZM, are set to remain open and operational. This comes as a relief to many, preserving a key element of Brighton’s entertainment landscape. Administrators from Grant Thornton UK have also confirmed that another 11 sites have been sold and will continue to welcome patrons under new ownership.
The closures include prominent locations such as PRYZM in Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, Plymouth, and Portsmouth; ATIK in Dartford, Romford, Windsor, and Wrexham; and other notable venues across the country, marking a significant contraction of Rekom UK’s operational footprint.
The decision to keep Brighton’s PRYZM open, along with other select venues such as PRYZM in Bristol and Kingston, and a variety of other entertainment sites across the UK, signals a focused strategy to maintain a presence in key nightlife markets despite the current financial challenges.
