Top industry leaders appointed to Mayor’s Night-Time Economy Commission

Leading voices from the region’s breweries, pubs, restaurants, cultural and entertainment venues have been chosen to join national industry chiefs to help Mayor Richard Parker protect and revitalise the West Midlands night-time economy.

The Mayor’s Night-Time Economy Commission - chaired by Wolverhampton councillor Chris Burden – will meet for the first time next week to start identifying the biggest challenges facing this important part of the West Midlands economy.

Members will report back to the Mayor early next year with their recommendations designed to reignite the industry and help breathe new life into town centres and high streets.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “I'm bringing together some of the best minds in the business. These are industry experts and the brilliant people at the frontline, running our pubs, clubs, restaurants, music venues and cultural spots. I can’t wait to work side by side with them to keep our region buzzing long after dark.

“The night-time economy is huge for us. Around a third of the West Midlands workforce is employed in the sector – around 100,000 people in hospitality alone. That’s why it’s a top priority to back businesses, protect jobs, and make sure this sector doesn’t just survive, but thrives.”

The regional and national night-time economy leaders chosen to be part of the Commission are:

• Crissie Rushton, University of Wolverhampton at The Halls
• Alex Nicholson-Evans, Birmingham-based events company, Living for the Weekend
• Henry Poultney, Grace & James, wine bar and deli in Kings Heath, Birmingham
• Dalvinder Dhillon, Coventry-based Dhillon’s Brewery
• John Barrett, CVOne, which runs a string of nightclubs in Coventry
• Jack Brabant, Digbeth Dining Club
• Toni Grehan, DJ and educator who runs She Creates and Variations club night
• Lyle Bignon, Night-Time Industries Association
• Jim Cathcart, UK Hospitality
• Roxy Bentley, the Nationwide Caterers Association
• Sophie Asquith and Jay Taylor, Music Venue Trust

Cllr Chris Burden, chair of the Mayor's Night-Time Economy Commission, with Crissie Rushton, general manager of University of Wolverhampton at The Halls, who is a member of the Commission.

Cllr Chris Burden, chair of the Commission and City of Wolverhampton Council’s cabinet member for city development, jobs and skills, said: “This is such an important part of our region’s economy and it’s vital the industry and the public sector work together to find the best ways of supporting it now and into the future.

“We have a rich entertainment and cultural history, and I'm thrilled to have been asked by the Mayor to chair this Commission. We’re going to build on the positive work that’s already being done in Wolverhampton and by other councils across the region to develop a positive vision for a region that is a thriving and safe place to work and socialise after dark.”

The Night-Time Economy Commission will be managed for the Mayor by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

It has been set up at a challenging time for the sector with its Covid recovery slowed by changing consumer behaviours linked to cost-of-living pressures. Concerns over night-time safety, public transport, staffing issues and changes to licensing and other regulations have also played a part.

Alan Fox, chief executive at the Nationwide Caterers Association (NCASS), said: “The formation of the Commission is extremely encouraging and we are pleased to be able to represent independent food and drink businesses across the West Midlands.

“At NCASS we work with hospitality businesses day in day out. These are businesses that shape our towns, cities and high streets. They create and contribute to local communities and are vital to supporting a thriving night-time economy.”

Michael Kill, chief executive at the Night-Time Industries Association (NITA), added: “The Mayor's Night Time Economy Commission comes after years of campaigning by the NTIA for a meaningful forum, at which the challenges and opportunities around the night-time economy and hospitality in the region can be discussed, and ultimately addressed.

“We thank to the Mayor for responding to our calls for further understanding and support around a road to recovery, and ultimately a brighter future, for our businesses and ecosystem. We look forward to working with colleagues to ensure growth and security for the region's night-time economy.”

Sophie Asquith, at the Music Venue Trust (MVT), said: “At a time when grassroots music venues find themselves in an increasingly challenging trading environment, it’s more important than ever to coordinate support on a local and devolved level, and for policy to reflect the sector’s ambition to not just survive but thrive.

“The West Midlands is home to a diverse array of great music venues and that Mayor Richard Parker and the WMCA have the vision to establish this Commission is an important step towards recognising the importance of these nighttime cultural spaces. Our venues require and deserve protection and support, and so MVT are very pleased to be joining industry colleagues around the table on this commission.”

Kate Nicholls, chair of UKHospitality, said: “Hospitality and the night-time economy are critical contributors to the West Midlands economy, employing more than 250,000 people, and to its local communities, making them vibrant places to live, work and invest.

“I'm delighted UKHospitality is joining the Mayor's Night-Time Economy Commission and we look forward to working with the Mayor, other industry bodies and local representatives to develop a plan that allows this critical sector to thrive, grow and regenerate our high streets.”

The night-time economy is part of the region’s everyday economy which employs the workers that provide essential goods and services that people depend on daily.

The West Midlands Growth Plan, launched by the Mayor in the summer, sets out how the region will work with these employers to make jobs more rewarding and secure.

That comes alongside more support to help SMEs grow through Business Growth West Midlands (BGWM), putting the bus network back into public control to provide better services for passengers, more Safer Travel Officers and support for initiatives to tackle sexual harassment in music and other entertainment venues.