Mayoral Power

The West Midlands Mayor - Richard Parker has announced the formation of the West Midlands Night-Time Economy Commission. This shows the potential of the power of devolution to be positive for hospitality.

It seeks to look at addressing the challenges facing his region’s after-dark economy. The Commission will be chaired by Wolverhampton councillor Chris Burden, and will hold its first meeting next week and is expected to deliver recommendations to the Mayor early next year.

The initiative aims to revitalise town centres and high streets, protect jobs, and support businesses operating in the night-time economy, which employs around a third of the West Midlands workforce, including 120,000 people in hospitality alone. It will involve leading figures from hospitality, arts, and entertainment. Members of the Commission named to date include Crissie Rushton (The Halls, Wolverhampton), Alex Nicholson-Evans (Living for the Weekend), Henry Poultney (Grace & James), Dalvinder Dhillon (Dhillon’s Brewery), John Barrett (CVOne), Jack Brabant (Digbeth Dining Club), Toni Grehan (Toni Grehan Arts), Lyle Bignon (Night-Time Industry Association), Jim Cathcart (UKHospitality), Roxy Bentley (Nationwide Caterers Association), and Sophie Asquith and Jay Taylor (Music Venue Trust). Lots of pro hospitality voices and strong advocates of the benefits.

It will be interesting to see what visible impacts arise.