Freight Island in Manchester City Centre
Culture

Global night time economy success to be showcased in Greater Manchester at Night Time Economy Summit


  • Mayors, industry leaders, and global experts to come together to celebrate successes of night time economy at the biggest and most ambitious Night Time Economy Summit yet.
  • Speakers include Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham; Sacha Lord, Greater Manchester Night Time Economy Adviser and Chair of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA); and Kevin Hollinrake, Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business
  • Two-day summit to be held at Freight Island in Manchester City Centre on 8-9 February

Global night time economy experts and city leaders will come together in Manchester next week to celebrate the successes of the industry and set out visions for its future, when they meet at the Night Time Economy Summit.

This will be the third edition of the Night Time Industries Association’s (NTIA) Night Time Economy Summit, with previous editions taking place in Bristol and London. The NTIA is the trade body for hospitality and night time economy, representing workers, operators and artists from across the sector and making representations to Government on their behalf.

Hosted at Freight Island in Manchester City Centre, the two-day summit (Thursday 8 – Friday 9 February) will hear from experts and leaders from across the world to showcase all that the sector has to offer in Greater Manchester and beyond, while exploring opportunities to collaborate and support the industry.

The event will include a panel discussion with the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, the Mayor of West Midlands, Andy Street, and Mayor of Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, on how metro-mayors can support the diverse night time economies of their own city-regions.

UK Government Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business, Kevin Hollinrake, will also address attendees with a keynote speech on the opening date of the summit.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:

“The night time economy has and always will play a crucial role across our city-region. The exciting and diverse offer across our towns and cities creates jobs, brings investment, and nurtures creative talent. From major international arenas to independent venues, Greater Manchester boasts a genuinely world-class night time economy – and next month it will be the centre of an important global conversation about the future of the industry.

“We are acutely aware that it remains a challenging period for many across the sector, and that the knock-on impacts of this are felt throughout the economy. It’s our hope that the Night Time Economy Summit can help rally support for the industry at this crucial time.”

Sacha Lord, GMCA’s Night Time Economy Adviser and Chair of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), said:

“It is great that leaders and experts from the night time sector are coming to one of Greater Manchester’s most exciting venues to share game-changing ideas and discuss how we can support the industry in what is a very difficult time. Once again, Greater Manchester is leading the way.

“Greater Manchester is proud of the contribution the countless numbers of great venues and businesses big and small have made to our night time economy, and hopefully this summit can support them.

“The cost-of-doing-business crisis continues to cause devastation, however, and it has been heartbreaking to see communities across the city-region lose so many restaurants, bars, and local venues. Government intervention is desperately needed if we are to stem the tide of closures sweeping the country and give the sector the support it needs.”

The Night Time Economy Summit will feature four stages, each focusing on different aspects of the night time economy. This includes a main stage which will see speakers from central and regional government, as well as global night time economy experts, discuss the ongoing challenges being faced in the sector and how it can be more sustainable for businesses and people.

Other stages will discuss important aspects of the night time economy from developments in electronic music and how that can shape the sector, the importance of sustainable independent festivals, and advocating accessibility, diversity, inclusion, and green sustainability in the night time economy.

For a full list of speakers and more information and tickets, visit: Night-Time Economy Summit - 8th/9th February 2023 (nighttimeeconomysummit.com)

Article Published: 01/02/2024 15:08 PM