A new vision to transform the West Midlands into one of the UK’s most vibrant, safe and accessible regions after dark has been unveiled by Mayor Richard Parker, as the first report from the West Midlands Night-Time Economy Commission is published.
The Commission – bringing together senior voices from pubs, restaurants, theatres, cinemas and entertainment venues – has laid out 25 recommendations aimed at restoring confidence in the region’s night-time offer and supporting businesses to recover from recent challenges.
A sector under pressure but full of potential
The night-time economy remains a major employer across the region, supporting around 324,000 jobs – approximately one in four roles. Of those, roughly 100,000 are directly linked to nightlife, from hospitality and live entertainment to cultural venues.
However, the report highlights that the sector has yet to fully recover following the impacts of Covid-19. Rising living costs, evolving licensing frameworks and ongoing issues with transport, safety and staffing continue to constrain growth.
Against this backdrop, the Mayor has committed to acting on the Commission’s recommendations, positioning the night-time economy as a key component of the region’s wider economic and cultural strategy.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, 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.
"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.
"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."
Key recommendations from the Night-Time Economy Commission
The report presents a broad package of interventions designed to strengthen safety, accessibility and business resilience across the night-time economy. Key proposals include:
- Improving transport connectivity with more frequent, reliable and affordable late-night services
- Refreshing the Night Safety Charter, with a sharper focus on women, LGBTQ+ communities and disabled people
- Introducing ‘safe havens’ where individuals can seek immediate assistance while out at night
- Enhancing public safety through better lighting and expanded use of public spaces for late-night activity
- Supporting the workforce, including improved training, wellbeing initiatives and better conditions for delivery riders
- Backing grassroots venues and independent businesses to sustain a diverse cultural and hospitality offer
- Driving innovation, including new booking technologies and creative use of vacant urban spaces
- Boosting regional promotion of nightlife across food, music, sport and culture
- Improving policy coordination, alongside calls for national reform of business rates, VAT and street trading legislation
Aligning with wider economic strategy
The night-time economy is positioned as a cornerstone of the region’s “everyday economy” – the sectors that provide essential services and underpin local communities.
Delivery of the recommendations will sit alongside the West Midlands Growth Plan, launched last year, which aims to improve job quality and security. Additional support will be channelled through Business Growth West Midlands (BGWM), particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Other complementary measures already underway include bringing bus services back under public control, increasing the number of Safer Travel Officers, and expanding initiatives to tackle harassment in nightlife and entertainment settings.
A renewed focus on safety and inclusion
A recurring theme throughout the Commission’s findings is the importance of safety and inclusivity in sustaining a thriving night-time economy. From transport access to safer streets and inclusive spaces, the recommendations reflect growing expectations around how public environments should function after dark.
The Mayor’s endorsement of the report signals a clear policy direction: one that balances economic regeneration with social responsibility, aiming to make the West Midlands a model for modern, inclusive nightlife.
Image credit: iStock
