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UK venues charge up to £15 for bag storage as night-out costs rise
Cloakroom and bag-storage charges at UK music and entertainment venues have risen sharply, with some lockers costing more than £13 and one arena charging £15 for large bags. The extra fees add to the cost of a night out, while rules restricting larger bags can leave people relying on external storage or taking risks with their belongings.
Venues cite rising operating costs and tighter bag policies introduced after the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, which killed 22 people and injured more than 1,000. The Night Time Industries Association says average spending per person on a night out rose from £20.95 in 2020 to £28.06 in 2026; its chief executive says customers are reaching an affordability limit. Storage arrangements vary, from purpose-built lockers to nearby hotels and local businesses, with some concert-goers questioning how secure these options are.
In short
- Some UK venue lockers now cost up to £15.
- Average night-out spending rose to £28.06 in 2026.
- Bag restrictions have pushed storage to nearby businesses.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Venues can argue that secure bag storage requires space, staff, equipment and insurance, all of which have become more expensive. Tighter bag restrictions introduced after the Manchester Arena attack also reflect a duty to manage security risks, and charging for storage can help cover those costs while still offering guests an option for belongings that cannot be brought inside.
The case against
Customers can argue that steep storage charges make live events less accessible, especially when the wider cost of a night out is already rising. If venues prohibit larger bags, charging up to £15 to store them can feel like an unavoidable extra fee, particularly where nearby alternatives offer uncertain security; venues should make clear, affordable arrangements for belongings their rules exclude.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Once it was a £1 hanger. Now it’s a £15 locker. Why do cloakrooms cost so much on a night out?”.