Popworld is set to close another well-known nightclub, marking its third closure in a few weeks. The Bournemouth location will shut its doors on March 15 after being in the city for two years due to owner Stonegate’s sale of over 1,000 pubs and bars across Britain to reduce debt.
This closure follows the recent shutdown of a Popworld venue in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, after eight years of operation. Last year, Popworld also divested venues in Portsmouth, Bristol, Watford, and Chelmsford, some of which have reopened under new management and branding.
Known for its nostalgic playlist of ‘cheesy pop’ hits from the 1990s and 2000s, Popworld currently operates 34 venues nationwide. The closure announcement was made by the Bournemouth branch on its Facebook page, hinting at a significant change and thanking patrons for their support over the years.
Stonegate Group, the parent company of Popworld, Slug & Lettuce, and Be At One, has been exploring the sale of pubs, with 22 already on the market. The company accrued substantial debt from acquiring rival Ei Group in 2019, shortly before the pandemic forced pub closures nationwide.
The Night Time Industries Association reported a 37% decrease in late-night businesses in the UK between 2020 and 2025, with nearly 800 venues closing. The association has urged for key nightclub venues in the UK to be granted “protected status” to prevent further closures by 2029, citing financial challenges, pandemic repercussions, and shifting youth habits impacting the nighttime economy.
