You what? Last Thursday the Bull & Gate was absolutely swarming with Shins fans waiting for the (still called the) Forum to open, and over the next month or so they've also got the View, the Manics, Maximo Park, Cat Power, Marillion...and all this aside from Schooldisco now having their weekly there since they relocated from the doomed Palais.
The Clapham Grand's line-up is uninspiring, admittedly - mainly no-marks, or tribute bands playing as part of their uninspiring selection of weekly clubs. But still, it's in use.

The problem is more creeping gentrification in certain areas than city or nation-wide, I think. So yes, Fulham has fewer worthwhile venues and more tossy DJ bars - but there'll always be a new area where the venues spring up. The main problem is, the further out they're pushed, the bigger faff the transport is.