Glasgow Establishes Night-Time Economy Commission and Manager Role - DRAM Scotland
Glasgow City Council has formally launched its Night-Time Economy Commission, backed by a dedicated full-time Night-Time Economy Manager position—the first of its kind in Scotland. The moves represent a significant investment in the sector, with the council allocating £100k in its 2026-27 budget.
Glasgow City Council has formally launched its Night-Time Economy Commission, backed by a dedicated full-time Night-Time Economy Manager position—the first of its kind in Scotland. The moves represent a significant investment in the sector, with the council allocating £100k in its 2026-27 budget. Chaired by Mike Grieve (Managing Director, Sub Club and Chair of the Scottish Night Time Industries Association), the independent commission will develop and implement action plans stemming from the Nightshift Glasgow strategy, produced in collaboration with Make Associates. Fiona Ellis (DF Concerts), Katie Duffy (Glasgow Life), Stephen McGowan (TLT LLP) and representatives from the Music Venues Trust form the core membership, with additional sectoral representatives to be appointed. The commission and manager post emerged as key recommendations from a two-and-a-half-year consultation by the City Centre Taskforce’s NTE Sub-Group, which engaged extensively with hospitality, music, arts and entertainment stakeholders across the city and The addresses longstanding sector calls for dedicated policy leadership and a single point of contact between industry and local government. The manager will act as liaison between the commission and stakeholders, ensuring detailed delivery against action plan targets. Mike Grieve said, “The NTE Sub Group of the City Centre Task Force has been working over the last two and a half years to develop a strategy for the advancement of Glasgow’s night time economy, with a focus on the after dark experience in the city centre. This group is an amalgamation of industry professionals and other stakeholders including public and third sector bodies. “After extensive consultation, the Sub Group’s primary recommendations include establishing a permanent commission to oversee Glasgow’s NTE and creating the position of a NTE Manager for the city. “It is truly exciting that we have now reached the stage where we are able to announce the next stage of this initiative and we look forward with enthusiasm to putting in place the building blocks which will drive forward this vision for nightlife in the city. There are many components to the new NTE strategy, but already we have seen significant developments in terms of new transport initiatives and other recommended actions which will help to promote the fantastic nightlife that Glasgow is so renowned for. ”Mike Kill, Chief Executive of the Night Time Industries Association, said, “It’s fantastic to see Glasgow take this huge leap forward in establishing the new NTE Commission and creating a full time NTE Manager role which will be vital to the development of the city’s night time and hospitality offer. Glasgow has been punching well above it’s weight for a very long time, and it’s great for the sector now to have the tools to take the next step in the evolution of the city as a world class hospitality, entertainment and music destination. ”Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, described the move as “a watershed moment” for the night-time sector. “Our after-dark industry is vital—culturally, socially and economically. The commission ensures the sector now has its own dedicated champion. ”An initial focus will be finalising the night-time action plan, with emphasis on transport initiatives and sectoral support mechanisms already in development.