News / Nighttime Economy
Council cuts funding to project supporting nightlife
The future of an award-winning organisation supporting Bristol’s nighttime economy is in doubt due to council funding changes.
Bristol Nights is a partnership project from Bristol City Council whose stated purpose is to support the city at night and everyone who works from 6pm to 6am.
But despite council leader Tony Dyer calling Bristol Nights “a brilliant and successful campaign which I support”, he was unwilling to confirm that its future is secured.
Bristol’s nighttime economy adviser, Carly Heath, has already revealed that she is losing her job.
Speaking at a member forum session on Tuesday, Labour councillor and former cabinet member, Kye Dudd, claimed that Bristol Nights is no more.
Dudd said: “Bristol Nights has been terminated… if you wanted to terminate it, it should have gone to a committee for a proper decision and discussion.”
Dyer had previously responded in writing to Dudd questioning whether the council will continue the partnership, saying: “I want to reassure you that population health priorities will continue to be addressed by Public Health.
“This includes the public health elements of the nighttime economy as per the broad definition of nighttime work outlined in the Director of Public Health report – Bristol at Night.
“Safety at night will continue to be the responsibility of a range of wider partners including the Community Safety Partnership and we take this work incredibly seriously.
“Especially Bristol Rules, which has been a joint University sponsored initiative and will be reviewed and developed with, and by, the relevant partners.”
Dudd said that Dyer’s written answer “does not say that Bristol Nights will continue” adding that it is a partnership, not a campaign “so saying you support the campaign isn’t really being that straight”.
In a supplementary question to Dyer, Dudd asked if he had consulted the many businesses in the nighttime economy before bringing the partnership to an end?
Dyer replied: “There are ongoing discussions about where this is going to. I’m more than happy to update members as and when those discussions are at a further stage.
“We are looking to continue the work that has been done in this area previously, and we are looking at how that would be funded going forward and who else may be involved as well as Bristol City Council.”
Carly Heath became Bristol’s first nighttime economy adviser in 2021 with a salary of £50,000 pro rata part-time – photo: Shotaway
In a post on LinkedIn on Wednesday, Heath, confirmed that her role is being made redundant “as the current funding for the post comes to an end”.
Heath said: “Championing Bristol’s nightlife has been one of the greatest honours of my career.
“Working alongside venues, artists, promoters, community groups and partners across the city, we have helped give the night time economy a voice and delivered initiatives that have made Bristol safer and more vibrant after dark – from Bristol Rules and harm reduction campaigns to major work around women’s safety at night.
“Bristol’s approach to supporting nightlife has been recognised internationally, and that is entirely down to the incredible community that powers this city after dark.
“Over the next two months I will continue supporting the work currently underway, including the sector-led workshops helping to shape the Bristol Music Fund.
“Whatever the future holds for the Bristol Nights programme, I remain deeply committed to supporting the night time economy and the people who make it happen.”
Main photo: Rob Browne
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