The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) launched its 2024 manifesto, ‘Darkest Before the Dawn’, ‘this week, the first of its kind in the UK.
Written by Philip Kolvin KC in collaboration with key stakeholders, it is, say the NTIA, a milestone in it’s advocacy for “a thriving and secure night time economy throughout the United Kingdom.”
The manifesto is a roadmap that outlines 44 recommendations to support the nighttime industry within towns, cities and regions. It urges policy makers at national and local level to adopt cohesive strategies to protect and develop the night time economy, for the benefit of residents, visitors, workers and businesses. This blueprint is the culmination of research, dialogue with stakeholders as well as Philip Kolvin KC, a distinguished legal authority and writer in the fields of licensing and the night time economy.
Data from CGA Neilson shows that free tenure outlets in the Night Time Economy have reduced by 8.2% in the year to March 2023. The decline is repeated across all regions. For example, CGA’s data shows that Birmingham has seen a 12.6% decrease in outlets since the start of Covid in 2020, Leicester 13.7% and the Central regions 7.1%. Even these falls mask a cliff edge now faced by the independent sector, particularly music venues, nightclubs, LGBT venues and community pubs, with closures continuing to accelerate, threatening the nation’s grassroots cultural base.
The evidence presented by the body “underscores the urgent need for direct action to prevent a catastrophic downturn in the nighttime economy, and to ensure the continued vibrancy of our cultural landscape.”
The Night Time Industries Association, in collaboration with its partners, says it is committed to addressing these challenges and advancing the principles outlined in the Manifesto to secure a brighter, more resilient future for the nighttime industry and the communities it serves.
Philip Kolvin KC, said, “Pubs, nightclubs, and music venues are the bedrock of popular culture, particularly for young people, but for many years have been closing at an unsustainable rate. The financial challenges they now face often appear overwhelming. Darkness before the Dawn advocates a paradigm shift, requiring policymakers to view the night time economy as a social good to be celebrated and protected, and not just regulated. It shows how a strategic, systematic, and creative approach to governance of the sector will help to drive its revival for the economic and cultural benefit of the nation.”
Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, underscored the significance of this manifesto, saying, “The Night Time Economy Manifesto represents a pivotal moment in the history of our industry. It showcases the vital role our nighttime businesses can play in shaping both national and local night time economy strategy. This work is of paramount importance, and its implementation will not only revitalize our nighttime businesses but also enrich the cultural and economic fabric of our nation.”
You can find Manifesto 2024 here
