Drive to improve night time economy launched

The WMCA is recruiting six to eight people to be part of the commission

A drive to improve the West Midlands' night time economy has been launched.

Figures show the hospitality trade is declining, with Birmingham experiencing the largest decline in late-night venues, at - 27.5% since 2020, night time ambassador Lyle Bignon said.

It is a huge industry in the region accounting for about a third of the region's workforce, with about 120,000 people working in hospitality, according to the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

The authority is creating a mayoral night time economy commission, which will see a roadmap made on how to create a "thriving and safe" night time economy through until 2030.

Mayor Richard Parker said the sector facds "its most challenging period in decades".

Birmingham lost 163 firms among cultural, entertainment or food and drink venues and those who supply them between March 2020 and September 2024, according to the Night Time Industries Association.

The commission will sit for six months from autumn 2025, and members will attend about six meetings, eventually producing a report for the mayor and West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

"Our night-time economy is a crucial part of what makes the West Midlands a vibrant place to live, work, and visit," said Mr Parker.

"That's why I'm going to be working side by side with industry leaders, businesses, and communities to help this sector not just survive, but thrive.

'A road to recovery'

Mr Bignon said he welcomed the announcement, and that the region's NTE was "disappearing before our eyes".

"We are losing the pubs, clubs, bars, cafés, music venues, and other community spaces that provide crucial artistic, economic and social functions for our residents and visitors at a worrying rate.

"The creation of a regional night time economy commission is, we hope, the start of better dialogue and discourse around a road to recovery, and ultimately a brighter future, for our businesses and ecosystem."