The night-time economy - defined as activity between 6pm and 6am - contributed £153.91 billion to UK GDP in 2024 and employed 2.11 million people across hospitality, entertainment, and leisure. Despite this, the sector faces mounting challenges, including rising operational costs, reduced business rates relief, and shifting consumer habits.

Many leisure businesses have found it increasingly difficult to absorb additional costs without passing them on to consumers or cutting staff. UKHospitality reports that over 84,000 jobs have been lost in pubs, clubs, and restaurants since the March 2024 Budget. Projections suggest this could rise to 111,000 by November 2025 if no policy relief is introduced.

Meanwhile use: bringing life to empty buildings and supporting nighttime ecosystems

Meanwhile use - the temporary activation of underutilised spaces - has emerged as a strategic response, offering low-cost, flexible platforms for cultural, retail, and community-led initiatives that support both the night-time economy and wider urban goals. Increasingly, old office buildings and redevelopment sites are being repurposed as part of this strategy. These spaces, often vacant or awaiting long-term transformation, provide ideal conditions for temporary uses that bring life to otherwise dormant parts of the city. Their central locations, existing infrastructure, and flexible layouts can make them well-suited for pop-up venues, creative hubs, and experimental formats that cater to evolving leisure preferences.

UK-wide examples of success

A leading example is London’s Canada Water, where temporary activations such as pop-up retail, food markets, and cultural programming have helped maintain footfall and community engagement during long-term redevelopment. These uses have supported local businesses, provided platforms for creative industries, and contributed to placemaking efforts aligned with the broader regeneration strategy.

Hockley Social Club in Birmingham, a meanwhile venue in a repurposed industrial printworks, has become a cultural anchor in the Jewellery Quarter, blending independent food traders, live music, and community events. It exemplifies how meanwhile use can activate underused space, foster grassroots culture, and create inclusive, multi-use environments. Its success has led to the formation of the Birmingham Night-Time Economy Forum, a quarterly stakeholder gathering aimed at shaping policy and ensuring long-term support for the sector.

In Manchester, Depot Mayfield has become a benchmark for meanwhile use. Once a disused railway depot, it hosts major cultural events such as The Warehouse Project and Freight Island, drawing thousands of visitors and generating millions in economic impact. The wider Mayfield regeneration scheme will deliver in the region of 1,500 homes, 10,000 jobs, and 1 million sq ft of office space, alongside a public park, the first in Manchester city centre in over a century. This blend of temporary and permanent uses has created a vibrant ecosystem that supports both daytime and night-time activity, while promoting sustainability, wellbeing, and inclusive growth.

Bridging the gap to new leisure experiences

Nationally, the night-time economy remains a cornerstone of urban life. 8.7 million people are classified as night-time workers, representing 27% of the UK workforce. However, as the numbers have fallen – as noted above - jobs in gyms and sporting venues have risen from 409,900 in 2022 to 452,800 in 2023, with continued growth into 2024 and 2025. These trends reflect changing leisure preferences towards wellness-oriented and experience-led formats. Meanwhile use can help bridge these transitions by offering adaptable spaces for competitive socialising, immersive experiences, and hybrid retail-entertainment models.

It is clear that meanwhile use and the night-time economy are central to the UK. By leveraging underused spaces, including old offices and redevelopment sites, and supporting diverse forms of evening activity, cities can foster inclusive growth, cultural vitality, and economic resilience. Strategic investment, policy support, and community engagement will be essential to unlocking their full potential.

Further information

Contact Clare Bailey or Sam Arrowsmith

From vacant spaces to meanwhile places: transforming cities through temporary developments