The West Midlands Night-Time Economy Commission has released its first report, outlining 25 recommendations to revitalize the region's struggling night-time sector. West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker emphasized that safer and more reliable public transport is essential to achieving this goal.
Mayor's Personal Experience
Speaking at the report's launch, Mr. Parker recalled his own experiences growing up in Bristol. 'I used to have wonderful nights out and then dread the last bus home. Sometimes it was the scariest bit of the night,' he said. He wants trains and buses to run later in the evening and for passengers to feel confident using them.
Key Measures
Mr. Parker identified safety and public transport as short- to medium-term priorities. A new night safety programme is set to launch soon, and in 2028, when police powers are devolved to metro mayors, he will appoint a community safety lead. 'Issues about public transport safety, particularly for women and girls, come up in lots of the work we do around transport,' he added.
Transport Challenges
The mayor discussed the need for devolved powers to influence train timetables. 'Frankly, a lot of subsidy goes into it, and if we have more freedom, we'd be running them more differently,' he said. He also cited a visit to Solihull Chamber of Commerce, where businesses highlighted that young people could not access night-time economy jobs due to bus timetables not aligning with shift patterns.
Report Recommendations
The commission's report addresses challenges including Covid, cost of living, high VAT, and business rates. Mr. Parker stressed that safety concerns are not limited to the night-time economy but are a broader issue. The full report is available online.
