A new regional initiative is bringing together leading voices from the West Midlands’ hospitality, cultural, and entertainment sectors to help shape the future of the region’s night-time economy. The Mayor’s Night-Time Economy Commission, chaired by Wolverhampton councillor Chris Burden, will convene this week to begin identifying the sector’s most pressing challenges and opportunities.
This cross-sector Commission includes representatives from breweries, pubs, restaurants, music venues, and cultural institutions, alongside national industry bodies. Their mission: to develop a strategic plan that supports local businesses, protects jobs, and breathes new life into high streets and town centres across the West Midlands.
Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, emphasised the importance of the initiative:
“I'm bringing together some of the best minds in the business. These are industry experts and the brilliant people at the frontline, running our pubs, clubs, restaurants, music venues and cultural spots. I can’t wait to work side by side with them to keep our region buzzing long after dark.”
The night-time economy is huge for us. Around a third of the West Midlands workforce is employed in the sector – 120,000 people in hospitality alone. That’s why it’s a top priority to back businesses, protect jobs, and make sure this sector doesn’t just survive, but thrives.”
The Commission’s work will be managed by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), reflecting a strong partnership between public sector leadership and private enterprise. Members will report back to the Mayor early next year with recommendations for a region-wide plan to reinvigorate the night-time economy.
The Commission includes:
- Crissie Rushton, University of Wolverhampton at The Halls
- Alex Nicholson-Evans, Living for the Weekend (Birmingham-based events company)
- Henry Poultney, Grace & James (Kings Heath wine bar and deli)
- Dalvinder Dhillon, Dhillon’s Brewery (Coventry)
- John Barrett, CVOne (operator of Coventry nightclubs)
- Jack Brabant, Digbeth Dining Club
- Toni Grehan, DJ and educator, She Creates and Variations club night
- Lyle Bignon, Night-Time Industries Association
- Jim Cathcart, UK Hospitality
- Roxy Bentley, Nationwide Caterers Association
- Sophie Asquith and Jay Taylor, Music Venue Trust
Cllr Chris Burden, chair of the Commission and cabinet member for city development, jobs and skills at City of Wolverhampton Council, said:
“This is such an important part of our region’s economy and it’s vital the industry and the public sector work together to find the best ways of supporting it now and into the future.
We have a rich entertainment and cultural history, and I'm thrilled to have been asked by the Mayor to chair this Commission. We’re going to build on the positive work that’s already being done in Wolverhampton and by other councils across the region to develop a positive vision for a region that is a thriving and safe place to work and socialise after dark.”
The Commission’s formation comes at a pivotal time. While the sector continues to recover from the impact of Covid-19, it faces ongoing challenges, including shifting consumer behaviours driven by cost-of-living pressures, staffing shortages, and regulatory issues. This initiative represents a model of collaborative governance—where local authorities, regional leadership, and industry stakeholders work in concert to support economic resilience and community wellbeing. The outcomes of this Commission will not only shape policy but also influence how councils and public bodies engage with and support the night-time economy in the years ahead.
Image credit: West Midlands Combined Authority
