– Leaders from across the globe and their UK counterparts descended on Birmingham culture and food venue Hockley Social Club for Europe’s biggest NTE industry event, supported by West Midlands Combined Authority
– 275 speakers from key industry bodies discussed topics across 70 panels including harm reduction, grassroots venues, burnout, 24 hour economies, diversity and representation, policy and partnerships
– Speakers included West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker, Councillor Saima Suleman, founding members of UB40, chef Dan Lee, Fish56Octagon, Don Letts, John Robb, and BBC Asian Network presenters and editors
– Summit saw launch of the annual Electronic Music Report, with Amazon Music and backed by UK Music, highlighting a £2.4bn economic contribution to the UK in 2024
– Hockley Social Club will host the Birmingham NTE Forum building on the success and momentum generated by the summit, bringing together industry on a quarterly basis as a legacy of the major event
Birmingham’s nighttime economy has received a major boost after two thousand NTE professionals including global leaders visited the city for a two-day summit hosted at Hockley Social Club.
Organised by the Night Time Industries Association, the Night Time Economy Summit (NTES) 2025 welcomed representatives from industries and sectors including arts, culture, entertainment, event management, local government, media, music, NTE, policymaking, and venues.
The event – Europe’s biggest gathering of the NTE community – was opened by Silvana Kill, Chief Operating Officer for the NTIA, and Birmingham City Council Cabinet Member for Digital, Culture, Heritage & Tourism, Councillor Saima Suleman, alongside a video message from Jess Phillips, MP for Yardley, Birmingham.
Alongside showcasing the 10,000 sq ft former industrial print works turned cultural and nightlife centre Hockley Social Club, NTES led to a mid-week uplift for the city’s bars, hotels, restaurants, and transport systems.
The boost to Birmingham’s visitor economy was complemented by a significant number of summit discussions on NTE policymaking with local and regional authorities, with a strong officer and councillor delegate representation from across the UK.
Licensing barrister and NTIA board member Philip Kolvin KC, and Mayor of the West Midlands Richard Parker, also delivered keynote speeches, with the Mayor spending time prior meeting delegates and exhibitors to understand the challenges the UK and region’s NTE currently faces.
Jack Brabant, founder-director of Hockley Social Club, said: “In spite of the challenges we have faced over the past five years, the night time industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability.
“The Night Time Economy Summit has only served to further highlight our collective power. However, we cannot rely on that alone.
“Almost 2,000 NTE businesses in the city have closed since 2020. To secure long-term security, recovery and growth, there is a need for greater engagement and support from government at a regional and national level.”
The six-stage event also provided the opportunity for the world’s largest gathering of NTE professionals from across the globe, with around 50 representatives from Argentina, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Spain, Ukraine, USA in attendance.
Other national and international industry bodies represented at the summit included the Association for Electronic Music, Attitude Is Everything, International Nightlife Association, Music Managers Forum, Music Venue Trust, PRS Foundation, Sound Diplomacy, VibeLab, and the UK Crowd Management Association.
Mr Brabant continued, “As a Birmingham-based business that has been part of the NTE for more than a decade, we have experienced firsthand the knock-on effect that a lack of support can have.
“It impacts not only the venue operators, but also the local communities we serve — musicians, performers, hospitality workers, food traders, local suppliers, and more.
“The night time economy is a fundamental part of the UK’s social, economic and cultural fabric, and it is vital we have the necessary backing to continue to thrive as an industry.
“We were delighted to have been able to facilitate national and international debates on these mission-critical issues.”
UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl used the summit in Birmingham to urge the Government to change entertainment licensing law and introduce a positive duty for local authorities to promote cultural wellbeing and the night time economy in communities and neighbourhoods.
The call followed the publication of the annual Electronic Music Report from the NTIA which highlighted a major contribution to the UK economy in 2024, and also revealed the total economic contribution for electronic music from nightclubs had fallen by 16% in 2024 to £1.2 billion.
Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, reflected on the success of the Night Time Economy Summit 2025, which brought global and UK industry leaders to Birmingham’s Hockley Social Club for Europe’s biggest NTE event.
Mr Kill said, “The summit showcased the incredible businesses, people, and culture that make up Birmingham and the West Midland’s vibrant night time economy.
“With 275 speakers across 70 panels, key discussions tackled harm reduction, grassroots venues, diversity, and policymaking, reinforcing the importance of our sector.
“The launch of the annual Electronic Music Report also highlighted a £2.4bn contribution to the UK economy in 2024, emphasizing the significance of electronic music and nightlife.
“Beyond the discussions, the event drove a mid-week uplift for local businesses, from bars and restaurants to hotels and transport. The resilience and innovation of our industry were on full display—now, we must continue to push for greater support to secure its future.”
Read the third annual Electronic Music Report ‘Electronic Beats, Economic Treats’, delivered in partnership with Amazon Music here.