Bristol City Council is hiring a new "night-time economy champion" to help Bristol’s clubs, pubs, restaurants and events venues recover from the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Night Time Economy Advisor - who will act as a voice for a sector ravaged by lockdown restrictions and help to spearhead the response - will work closely with the Mayor’s Office and chair the Bristol @ Night group, the independent advisory panel set up in 2018 to tackle the challenges facing the industry.
The high-profile ambassador role will see the successful candidate develop a "vision and roadmap to support Bristol’s world-famous cultural venues, bars, restaurants and clubs" including the city’s many independent businesses and its wealth of local talent, positioning Bristol as a leading and resilient 24-hour city.
Following the agreement of the Bristol @ Night panel, the new appointee will champion the sector and work with city partners to ensure the way Bristol functions at night is considered in decision making.
The role, which has a salary of £50,000 pro rata part-time, is similar to those set up with success in London in 2016 and Manchester in 2018.
The post is part of a wider piece of work that will see Bristol City Council working in partnership with music consultancy Sound Diplomacy, and funded by a number of developers and local investors, to develop a framework to capitalise on the cultural, social and economic benefits that night-time industries offer the city.
Councillor Nicola Beech, cabinet member for Strategic Design and City Planning, said: "The devastating impacts of Covid-19 have brought into sharp focus the importance of culture, music and the night-time economy in our city.
"What happens between 6pm and 6am forms a key part of our city’s offering to those who choose to live, work and study here.
"Working with the Bristol @ Night panel, the Night-Time Economy Advisor will influence change and spearhead the recovery of the sector.
"They will bring together an internationally celebrated night-time economy in Bristol and become an ambassador to celebrate and promote our city for both residents and visitors to enjoy."
The importance of Bristol's night-time economy
Going out at night is an important part of life for those who live, work and study in Bristol, but the Covid-19 pandemic has left many night-time businesses, and the artists who perform in them, struggling to survive.
The night-time economy directly or indirectly supports the employment of around 91,600 people in Bristol, representing 34 per cent of the city’s overall jobs.
The Music Venues Trust estimates that for every £10 ticket sale for a grassroots music venue, £17 is spent elsewhere in the local night time economy, highlighting the scale of its importance and the need for Bristol to take action to help the recovery.
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Marti Burgess, co-chair of the Bristol @ Night panel and owner of Lakota, said: "The night-time economy is the fifth biggest industry in the country, employing more than 8% of the UK’s workforce and it is part of what makes Bristol unique.
"The recruitment of the NTE advisor and the commissioning of the work to be done by Sound Diplomacy is great step forward for Bristol at a time when the night-time economy in the city is virtually on its knees because of the pandemic.
"The Sound Diplomacy project and dedicated NTE advisor working with the Mayor’s Office and City Office will build on the fantastic work done by the panel in the last two years.
"I am looking forward to continuing to work with the Bristol @ Night panel and the new advisor. Together we can draw up plans to make the city’s night-time economy stronger, safer, more inclusive and better connected for everyone who lives in and comes to the city for a great night out."
People interested in the Night Time Economy Advisor position can find a full job role and specifications on Bristol City Council's website.
