Friday March 13th 2026
Photo by Sandra Seitamaa (Unsplash)
Written by Glasgow View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Glasgow is to establish a new expert group to help drive forward the city’s night-time economy
The independent Night-Time Economy Commission will include prominent figures from within the sector and will be supported by a new Night-Time Officer, who will be recruited by the council.
Building on the work of the cross-sectoral City Centre Task Force, the Commission will draw upon best practice found in cities such as Berlin, Amsterdam and Philadelphia to create a bespoke model for Glasgow’s own after-dark industry.
At Glasgow’s City Administration Committee today (12 March 2026), councillors were updated on the formal establishment of the Commission and the recruitment of the Night-Time Officer.
Committee members also gave the greenlight to the City Council taking forward a number of the Commission’s early priorities including enhancing safety and wellbeing initiatives, advocating for the improvement of late-night transport, supporting independent businesses and new night-time experiences, and developing a Glasgow Licensing Charter.
The Commission will finalise its membership and propose wider priorities and actions in the months ahead.
Cllr Angus Millar, Convener for City Centre Recovery and Co-Chair of the City Centre Taskforce, said: “Glasgow’s night-time offer is a huge part of our culture and identity, as well as our economy.
“But our hospitality sector has faced unprecedented pressures over recent years, from the pandemic, the rise in the costs of doing business, major shifts in consumer behaviour and the growth of much more localised nighttime activity.
“This city has a really strong track record in working across the public and private sectors to overcome challenges and there’s much we can do together to deliver significant benefits to the Glasgow’s evening economy – and to improve the experiences of the public.
“We want more people to come into town and from our music scene to our restaurants and great bars, we’ve much to build on. The new night-time leadership arrangements we’re putting in place can help the sector deliver on its potential and enhance Glasgow’s reputation for its hospitality and welcome.”
Mike Grieve, Chair of the Scottish Nighttime Industry Association and Managing Director of the legendary Sub Club, has led the City Centre Taskforce work on the night-time economy.
He said that Glasgow will draw upon the latest industry research and the Commission would be committed to working collaboratively to deliver internationally recognised standards for the evening economy.
Mike Grieve said: “It’s fantastic to see this piece of work reach this stage ahead of moving on to the activation of this new governance model for the Glasgow night time economy. For Glasgow to have a definitive NTE Strategy in place addressing the many challenges highlighted in the ‘NightShift: Glasgow’ report is a huge stride forward for the city in 2026.
“The collaboration between the City Centre Task Force, nightlife operators and music venues, cultural and arts organisations, private sector partners in transport, and other public institutions including Glasgow Life and Police Scotland is vital to the wellbeing of the city’s after-dark experience.
“The formation of the new NTE Commission is a product of the collective commitment to delivering a safer, more diverse and more vibrant 6pm till 6am experience, positioning Glasgow as a leading future-focused and inclusive 24 hour city.
“Appointing a full time NTE Officer, funded by the city council, to manage the objectives outlined in the forthcoming action plan is a corner stone of the recommendations outlined by the NTE Subgroup, and we look forward to establishing the new NTE Commission to oversee this ongoing work.
“This development also sets the tone for a wider approach to Night Time Economy Strategy across Scotland which will be essential for the economic and cultural wellbeing of our city centres and local communities after dark in the coming years.”
Further details on Glasgow’s approach to the night-time economy can be found in the paper presented to the City Administration Committee on March 12, 2026, which can be accessed via this link.
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