Applications are open for a new, high-profile business leader to champion and support the hospitality sector in the West Midlands.

The Night Time Economy Advisor role will act as a focal point for the region’s pubs, clubs and restaurants as well other sub-sectors operating on a 24-hour basis such as health & social care, logistics and manufacturing. The successful applicant will need to bring all these businesses together to push for investment and support night-time economy through 2023 and beyond.

They will also be required to tackle important issues such as training opportunities to deal with staff shortages and improvements in safety for both customers and staff.

As well as working with the West Midlands Growth Company, the advisor will also be co-opted on to the newly convening West Midlands Hospitality and Tourism Advisory Board.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and West Midlands Combined Authority chair, said: “Despite these challenging economic times, the hospitality sector remains a real strong suit for our region. That’s why we’re keen to find a dynamic individual to champion the sector as we embark on a new year and drive our night-time economy forward.

“The person we choose to be Night-Time Economy Advisor will play a convening role – acting as a voice for the sector right across the West Midlands, helping to create new jobs for local people and attracting new visitors that will bring in the custom our local businesses need in order to thrive.

“I look forward to seeing the applications that come forward and cannot wait to see how the successful applicant shapes the region’s nightlife industry in 2023 and beyond.”

Cllr Ian Brookfield, WMCA portfolio lead for economy and innovation and leader of City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “Our restaurants, pubs, clubs, theatres and other nightspots have had a torrid time recently from full closure during lockdowns to now being hit by soaring energy prices and other costs.

“We have already made some progress with the hospitality sector – such as expanding training opportunities for kitchen staff – but now we need to go further.

“And it is right that we have someone in place who has direct experience and can speak up for the sector as we develop further plans and policies to support it through this difficult period and beyond.”

Working closely with the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) trade body, the West Midlands will build on the successes of this role in London, Greater Manchester and Bristol where night-time advisors have coordinated action for their sector - such as joint working to reduce anti-social behaviour.

This unpaid champion will be someone with significant experience and profile in the West Midlands night-time economy with the credibility to speak for the region’s businesses, lead plans and policies with partners, and ensure the region’s night-time economy thrives.

Michael Kill, the CEO of the NTIA, said: “The NTIA has been an advocate for this role for many years, campaigning for every city and town across the country to have a Night Time Economy Advisor, in a bid to strengthen the network of representation and promote the important role the industry plays in the recovery of the country and the ongoing economic success of our communities across the UK."

"We look forward to continuing our work with the Mayor and WMCA in supporting and developing the role within the region, and proactively bringing these representatives together to play their part in promoting and shaping nightlife across the UK.”

For more information, please visit: https://www.wmca.org.uk/what-we-do/economy-and-innovation/night-time-economy/.