"The face of the city is changing": Is Bristol's nightlife under threat?
The British Association of Restaurants, Bars and Independents warns Bristol's economy will be devastated if bars and clubs continue to close
The British Association of Restaurants, Bars and Independents (BARBI) is warning Bristol's city centre and night life may soon be unrecognisable, if support isn't given to independent business.
The warning comes after the much-loved Lizard Lounge announced its closure, 27 years after entertaining the city's students.
The venue is the latest in a long list of bars and clubs facing closure in the city.
"What kind of place will Bristol be without the lounge?" one commenter posted on Facebook, while another called the club a "Bristol institution".
"I imagine their rent went up, their business rates up 140%, staff wages up, energy costs high," said Brendan Murphy, chairman of BARBI.
"There's all of these pressures without the right support.
"We don't want to see Bristol turn into just Wetherspoons and Nando's and there's nothing wrong with those venues, but we're an independently minded city and the rise of chains is changing the face of Bristol," Brendan added.
The end of Lizard Lounge comes amid warnings surrounding the very future of the UK's nightlife.
The Night Time Association has warned if clubs continue to close at this rate, there'll be none left by 2030.
"Whether it's a nightclub or a pub, all the most enjoyable moments of life take place in them - whether its a wedding, or party, a christening, or a graduation.
"They're somewhere you go to relax and have a bit of enjoyment.
"What are we going to do when they all go?"