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Facing record levels of closures, rising costs, and limited government support, Scotland’s night time economy urgently needs the country’s politicians to look at it with fresh eyes. In an effort to change the political narrative, a delegation from NTIA Scotland visited Holyrood this week to launch the ‘Northern Lights Manifesto’, which offers the Scottish Government a road map to how it can better ‘protect and empower’ the sector. This marks the start of what the NTIA hopes will be a ‘national conversation’ about integrating the night time economy into Scotland’s wider economic and cultural strategy, ahead of the Scottish Budget in January 2026. Key asks in the Northern Lights Manifesto include the creation of a National Night Time Economy Strategy (NITES) to align planning, licensing, transport, tourism, and cultural policy; appointing a dedicated Minister for the Night Time Economy to represent the sector at Cabinet level; and 40% business rates relief for all hospitality and late-night businesses, plus 100% relief for cultural venues, removing the £51k cap. The NTIA manifesto also proposes the introduction of a statutory duty for local authorities to produce local night time strategies that align with the national framework; the establishment of local Offices for Nightlife across Scotland to coordinate best practice, safety, and late-night transport improvements; and the protection of Scotland’s cultural venues through planning reform, targeted funding, and the basic recognition that many venues are heritage assets. Chair of NTIA Scotland, Sub Club founder Mike Grieve, said: “Scotland’s night time economy is one of our greatest cultural assets — a source of creativity, community, and economic strength, but it has been overlooked for too long. “Northern Lights is our roadmap for recovery and renewal. We need a clear national strategy with a dedicated minister representing the sector at cabinet level, and immediate comprehensive rates relief to safeguard Scotland’s nightlife for generations to come.” Pauline McNeill MSP, who hosted the Holyrood launch, added: “Scotland’s night-time economy is vital to our culture and local jobs, especially here in Glasgow. “The sector has faced enormous challenges, and it’s important that policymakers hear directly from those working in it. I’d encourage all MSPs with night-time industries in their constituencies to listen to the experiences and ideas being shared.”
