A ‘night mayor’ is on the cards in Glasgow, council leader Susan Aitken has revealed.
The new night time commissioner would oversee licensed trade in the city, including pubs and clubs.
Ms Aitken told members of the council’s Local Licensing Forum plans to introduce the position, which could follow the same model as Manchester, are well under way.
She said that model is “emerging as the one that is most relevant for Glasgow”.
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“We were clear from the outset that if Glasgow doesn’t find that kind of model, we risk falling behind other cities who have.”
Manchester’s mayor Andy Burnham unveiled Sacha Lord, founder of the city’s Warehouse Project and Parklife events, as its first ‘night time economy adviser’ last year.
The role involves championing the area’s nightlife and ensuring people have a safe and enjoyable time.
He is supported by a night time economy panel, made up of experts from across the city.
Ms Aitken described the ‘night mayor’ title used in other cities as a “bad pun”, adding that, as Scotland doesn’t have mayors, the working group were more likely to go with ‘night time commissioner’.
They have also considered ‘night tsar’.
Glasgow’s commissioner would be “an ambassador for the licensed trade in the city, who is able to connect with decision makers”.
Ms Aitken said the idea arose after a number of venue owners contacted her for informal talks about the state of the industry.
A working group – the night time economy commission – was set up. It has looked at what the Council can do as landlords, how it can work with other landlords to make premises available for start-ups, licensing and regulation and transport.
Ms Aitken said: “We talked about the whole idea of transport in and out of the city centre, particularly the issue of getting people home at night, which Glasgow probably isn’t as good at as some other places.”
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The commission also looked at developing skills in the city, discussing working closer with colleges who run hospitality and catering courses.
It is in the process of gathering recommendations, which could be confirmed at a meeting in the next month.
Ms Aitken said consultation would be held before a final decision is made.
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