GMCA opens Night Time Economy Office to support sector

Greater Manchester’s night time economy is to receive vital support from a new support office launched by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

Following the publication of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown, many workers and businesses in the hospitality sector have more clarity about the future.

However, with some parts of the sector to remain closed until June at the earliest, the Night Time Economy Office will provide a signposting service for employees and employers regarding any concerns they have through the pandemic.

Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester, Sacha Lord, said:

The Prime Minister’s roadmap has provided some much-needed clarity and even hope for those working in Greater Manchester’s night time economy but there is still a long way to go and months until businesses can even partially start to open their doors again.

“That’s why we are launching this service. We want to make sure employers and employees can access the support they need and get answers to their questions and make sure as many as possible can open again later this year.

“Whether they want to ask about licensing, training or employment, mental health support or business innovation we will work to provide bespoke support quickly to those working in or running a business in the night time economy.”

Questions can be asked of the service via email or through the office’s Twitter profile. The Night Time Economy Office has partnered with a number of third-party organisations in order to provide bespoke support as quickly as possible. Sacha Lord added:

The night time economy represents 10% of the whole UK workforce so it’s not just vital for the individual people and businesses but also Greater Manchester as a whole that we support them through the pandemic and beyond to reopen as quickly and safely as possible.”