West Midlands Mayor has called on industry
leaders to help him draw up a plan to protect and revitalise the
region's important night-time economy.
The Mayor is recruiting members for a Night-Time Economy
Commission to explore the challenges facing pubs, music venues,
cinemas, restaurants, street food stalls, and gyms, and then
identify what support the sector needs to thrive.
The night-time economy is a big employer in the region, making up
around a third of the entire West Midlands workforce with 120,000
working in hospitality.
It has been a difficult time for the sector which was hit hard by
lockdowns and restrictions during the Covid pandemic. The
recovery is being slowed by changing consumer behaviours linked
to cost-of-living pressures, alongside changes to licensing and
regulation, and public transport, safety, and staffing issues.
, Mayor of the West
Midlands, said: “Our night-time economy is a crucial part of what
makes the West Midlands a vibrant place to live, work, and visit.
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.
“That means valuing the jobs it creates, backing the businesses
that keep our region buzzing after dark, and ensuring everyone
feels safe, supported, and confident, whether you're working
behind a bar, out with friends, a nurse on the night shift, or
driving a taxi.”
The Mayor's Night-Time Economy Commission will run for six months
and be manged for the Mayor by the West Midlands Combined
Authority (WMCA).
It will be made up of up to eight private sector representatives
from every part of the sector with successful candidates expected
to attend in-person and online meetings and help draw up a set of
recommendations to secure the future of the night-time economy.
Interested candidates will be asked to complete a short online
application form outlining the skills and experience they can
bring to the voluntary role, and those who are shortlisted may be
invited to take part in an informal conversation to explore their
suitability in more detail.
Applications will close on Wednesday, 24 September.
Supporting the night-time economy to thrive is part of a wider
package set out in the West Midlands Growth Plan for the
‘everyday economy'.
They provide the essential goods and services that people depend
on daily such as health and care staff, school workers, and
people working in construction, transport, logistics, retail,
hospitality, tourism, leisure, the arts, and the night-time
economy.
This support builds on the Mayor's backing for SMEs with funding
to help them grow and cut energy costs, through Business Growth
West Midlands (BGWM).
Earlier this year the Mayor approved plans to take buses back
into public control to set routes, timetables and fares, as well
as employing new Safer Travel Officers and supporting initiatives
to tackle sexual harassment.
Apply to join the Mayoral Night-time Economy Commission at
https://careers.wmca.org.uk/jobs/job/Mayoral-Night-Time-Economy-Commission/656.
