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Nightclub

How to Buy a Nightclub

If you are thinking of buying a nightclub, read this and find out how to navigate this fluctuating market.

Stricter regulations from council authorities in the UK as well as changing consumer behaviours has made this sector an unpredictable one. There are a lot of nightclubs that are closing because they don’t correctly cater to their customers.

This is not to say that you won’t be able to run a successful nightclub, however, you will need to be willing to put in the research and make the changes that customers are looking for.

The industry

While the nightclub sector has declined in recent years, it is still a billion-pound industry. It is, however, facing competition from pubs and bars which often cater to a much wider audience and will sometimes provide space for dancing.

Legislation that has allowed some bars to extend their opening hours has also taken the competitive advantage away from nightclubs. Late night party goers have more choice than before and this means that nightclubs need to step up their game if they want to keep their share of the market.

The nightclubs that have remained successful have made sure to integrate new technologies like smartphones and themed nights into how they operate in order to differentiate themselves from other establishments.  

 

Location

Finding the right nightclub to buy means doing your research. Considering everything that we know about the nightclub industry in the UK, you will need to make a careful decision about the business that you buy.

Your club should be in a central location if you are going to easily attract customers. While you don’t want too much competition around you, you do want the area to attract night-time crowds.

Clubs in up and coming areas are especially on-trend in major cities right now. You could also save on capital investment if the area has not yet become expensive.

You will need to have a thorough understanding of the area and demographics of the place where you are hoping to invest in a nightclub business in order to fulfil these stipulations. Trends can be difficult to predict so make sure you have done your due diligence.

Of course, knowing the type of customer you are planning on marketing to is also important. If you are going for tourists, then the area that you are looking at will be much more established, well-known part of town.

Size

Finding the right club to buy will also be impacted by the size of the premises. The bigger the space, obviously, the higher the overheads but you will stand to make more if the business is a success.

However, smaller venues are easier to run and will let you cater to a more niche market which will help you ensure you bring your customers back time and time again.

You will also need to keep an eye on things like acoustics and sound, the size of the dancefloor and access to bars. Make sure that the capacity of the club you want to buy is in line with the market research you have done.

 

Premises 

Before you settle on a particular business to buy, you need to have a good idea of what will be included in the sale. Will it come with all the fixtures and fittings? What kind of value do they have? You will also need to be aware of the type of aesthetics and whether they match your vision for the club.

If the vision that you have for it is completely different, you should work out how much capital you will need to put into the business before you open your doors. The business that you buy will, therefore, need to leave you with money spare after purchase to make these changes.

Finally, get a sense of what the employees are like. Having the right team that is trained well can be make or break for a nightclub and will be an invaluable part of your business. 

Finding the right nightclub to buy can seem like a mammoth task. However, being a success in this industry will mean making sure you have a clear vision and a thorough plan.



Matthew Hernon

About the author

Matthew Hernon is an Account Manager at Dynamis looking after Business Transfer Agents and Franchises across BusinessesForSale.com and FranchiseSales.com.