Alex Claridge named West Midlands' night time economy advisor
Alex Claridge will act as a champion for the region’s pubs, clubs, bars, concert venues, theatres and restaurants as they look to rebuild following ‘an incredibly difficult few years’.
As part of his role, he will also act as a strategic advisor to the Street and partner organisations to help the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and local authorities create ‘a thriving and safe night-time economy’.
Born and raised in the West Midlands, Claridge has been part of the Birmingham hospitality scene for over a decade.
Alongside his ambitious tasting menu-only restaurant The Wilderness he is involved with top-end bar Atelier c/o Robert Wood alongside working as a consultant for numerous local hospitality businesses and projects.
“It is a privilege to offer my time and energy to the city and wider region that has been so very kind to me over the years. Our region would be a very dull place without the continued existence and evolution of the many spaces and places that animate our evenings,” says Claridge.
“For many of us operating across the broad banner of the night-time economy, the tigers have found us. I know many of my peers today are cornered - rising energy prices, staff shortages, strikes, rapidly increasing costs, and the rest of it.
“It takes a certain talent, character, and energy to work in or run the many diverse businesses that make our evenings memorable. I want to harness that creativity and tenacity to fight the good fight together. With such talent in our region, it is my good fortune to be asked to serve as the West Midland’s first Night Time Economy Advisor and it is my promise that I will fight alongside my peers to achieve meaningful change.”
Supporting hospitality and nightlife sectors
In his part-time, voluntary, role, Claridge will work closely with Lawrence Barton, Birmingham City Council’s night-time champion, who will also now have a closer working relationship with the WMCA and access to its resources as the authority ramps up its support for the hospitality and nightlife sectors as part of its Plan for Growth.
As well as working alongside the WMCA’s Hospitality Skills Taskforce chair Glynn Purnell, and the West Midlands Hospitality and Tourism Advisory Board which he will be co-opted onto, Claridge will also have a close relationship with the Night Time Industries Association trade body.
Street added: “Hospitality and nightlife are the lifeblood of the West Midlands, not least in our city centres. But there is no denying that in recent years they have been hammered by global trends, and are now facing a worrying future.
“That is why I was so determined to appoint a regional role to corral, lead, and champion the West Midlands’ night-time economy. This sector needs proper support, and our appointment of Alex is just the first step in the WMCA’s renewed commitment to helping the sector thrive again.
“It was an incredibly competitive process, but I’m delighted to have been able to appoint Alex whose credentials are unquestionable and who I know will give his all to this role and more importantly the sector he holds so dear to his heart.”
