New Northern Lights manifesto launched to safeguard Scotland’s night-time economy

The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has established a new manifesto-based initiative to revitalise and future-proof Scotland’s night-time economy.

The report, titled Northern Lights: A Manifesto for Scotland’s Night Time Economy 2025, is based around 31 “ambitious, urgent and actionable” recommendations that the NTIA says will “safeguard and transform” the country’s night-time businesses. According to NTIA figures, the sector generates £43.5 billion for the UK overall, and supports more than 137,000 Scottish jobs across over 12,600 businesses.

While emphasising the night-time economy’s place as a critical asset to Scotland economically, culturally and socially, the NTIA points out that it is at “serious risk” due to various economic factors, such as regulatory pressures, increased operational costs, an inadequate public transport network, and a lack of coherent national and local strategy.

Central to the Northern Lights manifesto are six priority actions, which are: the creation of a National Night Time Economy Strategy and Strategy Board; the appointment of a dedicated Minister for the Night-Time Economy; statutory duty for all local authorities to develop their own night-time economy strategies; establishment of Offices for Nightlife in major cities and regions; financial and regulatory reforms, such as business rates relief; and initiatives to enhance transport, safety, inclusion and late-night services.

In a statement, Mike Grieve, NTIA Scotland Chairperson, said: “Scotland’s night-time economy is not just about bars and clubs. It’s about the creative soul of our towns and cities. Without immediate and strategic government support, we risk losing the venues, voices and businesses that define Scotland’s global cultural identity. Northern Lights is a blueprint for meaningful action — and the time to act is now.”

Michael Kill, CEO of the NTIA UK, added: “Across the world, cities are embracing nightlife as a key component of economic resilience and cultural diplomacy. Scotland must not be left behind. Northern Lights offers a forward-thinking, detailed and locally adaptable plan for national recovery. It is not just a wish list, it’s a working document for a sustainable future.”

Read the full manifesto here.

Revisit DJ Mag’s 2021 piece on the complicated reality of the night-time economy here.

Late last year, a NTIA survey revealed that 90% of UK nightlife venues were struggling with rising costs.