Mayor Richard Parker has unveiled plans aimed at strengthening the West Midlands\u2019 night-time economy, with proposals focused on transport, safety and business support.<\/p>\n
A new report recommends measures including improved late-night travel, backing for grassroots venues and action to ease pressures on hospitality and leisure operators.<\/p>\n
The recommendations, published in the first report from the West Midlands Night-Time Economy Commission, set out a series of measures designed to support a sector that employs around 324,000 people across the region, including approximately 100,000 working directly in hospitality, entertainment and nightlife-related businesses.<\/p>\n
Made up of representatives from pubs, restaurants, theatres, cinemas and live entertainment venues, the commission was established to assess the challenges facing the sector and identify priorities for long-term growth.<\/p>\n
Among the proposals are improvements to late-night transport connectivity, renewed support for grassroots music venues and independent hospitality operators, and practical measures intended to improve public safety and workforce conditions.<\/p>\n
Recommendations include restoring more frequent and affordable night-time public transport services, introducing safer public spaces and support hubs, refreshing regional safety standards with a focus on women, LGBTQ+ communities and disabled people, and strengthening support for workers through training, wellbeing initiatives and improved conditions.<\/p>\n
The report also calls for greater regional coordination on licensing, safety and economic policy, alongside national reforms relating to business rates, VAT and street trading legislation to help reduce pressure on operators.<\/p>\n
Richard Parker said: “Growing up, nights out were where you found your people. A new band, a great meal, a pub where everyone knew your name. It’s where you felt part of something. That still matters – and it employs tens of thousands of people across our region.<\/p>\n
“The West Midlands has a night-time economy worth fighting for great pubs, incredible food and music venues that gave the world Black Sabbath and Two-Tone. But it only works if people can get there and get home safely, if the streets feel welcoming, and if businesses know someone is on their side.<\/p>\n
“This commission has done serious work and sets out some bold new ideas. Some of it we can deliver now. Some of it requires pushing government harder. All of it matters to our region’s cultural offer and our future.”<\/p>\n
Dr Chris Burden, chair of the Commission said: \u201cTogether, we pooled our expertise from around the region and listened to a range of voices, from the venue owners to the people working in bars and restaurants, to draw up our plan for the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur nightlife and our hospitality venues are varied and have an enormous amount to offer, but we know they could do better with the right support in place. That means building up transport, prioritising safety, and crucially tackling the costs of doing business. Our report sets out practical measures which we know will make a huge difference to our towns and cities and we look forward to continuing our work with the Mayor on getting them implemented.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Plans include restored night buses, safer streets and fresh support for venues, hospitality operators and late-night workers<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":266702,"featured_media":2112308,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[120782],"coauthors":[127717],"class_list":["post-2112306","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-economy","tag-featured-story","tag-greater-birmingham"],"yoast_head":"\n