NDML attends the NTIA Summit 2026 in Liverpool
The Blackstock Market, home to Liverpool’s infamous Hot Water Comedy Club, played host to this year’s NTIA summit. The summit was a meeting of business owners, council representatives, legal experts, technological innovators and MPs. Alongside the opportunity to network, many visitors came to listen to the keynote speeches from industry leaders.
Rt. Hon Angela Raynor, ex-Deputy Prime Minister and MP for Ashton-upon-Lyne, held a keynote speech which was titled: What we need to see from Labour in the Future.” – Read More
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, partnered Steve Rotheram, Mayor of Liverpool City Region, in a double act which excited the crowd. They discussed how they hope to better support nightlife, all while bouncing off the cultural differences of the two major cities. – Read More
Zack Polanski, Leader of the Green Party, also made a surprise appearance. He sang from a slightly different hymn sheet, focusing on repurposing empty spaces and drug decriminalization. – Read More
NDML exhibited at the event and enjoyed meeting clients and partners. Michael Dawson and Martin Garland enjoyed networking with old friends, and learning about new innovations in the sector. For anyone who missed the stand and want to get in touch, contact our team here.
Angela Raynor’s speech at the NTIA Summit 2026
Angela started by mentioning how her first job, just like many others, was in hospitality. She worked in a pub, helping her build her confidence and opinion on community culture. This is one of the many reasons why nightlife matters, supporting millions of jobs, as well as the tourism industry. The value of the industry rests within benefitting tourism, growing music careers, and shaping the global identity of the UK.
Angela cited all the pressures weighing on the nightlife sector. Backlash pandemic pressures, COVID losses, rising costs of energy and stock, business rates, increased debt. The sector has shrunk by 30% since 2019. 75,000 jobs were lost in the financial year of 2024/25 alone.
“The power of recovery must be shared” she said. It’s as important to support grassroots venues and family run business as it is established venue, in order to best invest in the community. Angela identified a clear divide; there are policies for nightlife and policies in spite of nightlife. Confidence in business matters to the economy, hence policies should work in tandem with the purpose of benefitting nightlife.
The main pressures include reduced customers and higher business rates. Nightlife needs investments, not handouts. Support needs to be pragmatic, not just ideological.
Angela spoke on licensing. She wants to put trust back into the venues and fix the system. She commended the mayor of London who recently announced bold new licensing plans. Angela spoke on transport routes, enabling nightlife staff to get home safe after work. She commented on the new night-bus in Manchester which she noted as “essential”.
Angela mentioned minimum shift patters, and the push to pay for shifts which have been cut short. She also spoke on women’s safety, commending #AskForAngela initiatives, and how transport can be a safety enabler. There needs to be better communication between local government and nightlife business owners as well as transport operators.
Angela says she would support an appointed government mister for nightlife. This would help organise the policies relating to nightlife, and join up the departments.
“We need to do better” signed off Angela – “When nightlife thrives, we all prosper.”
During the Q&A, led by Mike Kill, Angela reiterated her dedication to the sector.
She recognises that venues are disappearing, yet they are economically important to the nation, and embody the country’s heart and soul. Angela is dedicated to start relieving the many challenges faced by operators.
When pushed on the urgency of the situation, Angela said an appointed Minister would help to speed things along. She sees how devastating and frustrating licensing disputes are for nightlife owners, and she believes the answer is a mayoral approach.
Learn more about Licensecure – Loss of Licence insurance for nightclubs.
When asked what she would like to say to venue owners, Angela said: “We (MPs) have got to do better.” Start with pragmatic solutions, Angela wants a joined up transports policy, review business rates, and get a voice in government. “We can’t do everything, but we can do more!”
Andy Burnham’s talk at the NTIA Summit 2026
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, took the stage with Steve Rotherham, Mayor of Liverpool City Region. They spoke on the eve of a report which stated a 93% growth in Electronic music events in the North of England. In 2015, Liverpool was designated as a UNESCO City of Music, demonstrating the city’s music roots and thriving grassroots scene. Both Mayors agreed there is too much negativity on social media in regards to the sector.
Andy argues nightlife is a critical infrastructure of cities. They are key to regenerative warehousing, and reviving abandoned buildings. We wish to give nightlife protection through planning and legislation. Tax regime is necessary to protect nightlife businesses and with it their contribution to the wider economy
Transport is hugely important for both mayors. Manchester launched the night-buses through the Bee network. It helps both people getting to venues and people getting home, which, knowing that’s there, has a massive impact on footfall.
When asked if they would support a governmental position dedicated to nightlife, they both said “100% yes.” Regeneration is possible thanks to nightlife. Stockport, noted Andy Burnham, is a clear example of a town being turned around for the better. He also spoke of a new development in Farnworth who are withholding units, holding out for nightlife businesses.
When asked if they would like to see devolution, both said yes. Andy said devolution would be good for the nighttime economy, helping to speed up planning and fix taxes. The music industry lifts society and healed the community after industrialisation, it therefore holds cultural value that needs to be protected. The whole industry, not just pubs and live music venues as the recent business rates discount suggests, should be protected equally.
They support the tourism tax, which is seen in many European countries; the money of which will go into a visitor experience fund, helping to raise the game of local venues. This is a better alternative than the hope for benevolent funding.
One thing the two Mayors do admit is that they are still learning. They know that the nightlife industry feels neglected and needs to feel empowered. Venues are gold dust for visitors and dignitaries, and it’s clear the sector’s economy has room to grow.
They then discussed the benefits of giving the mayor’s more power. They would offer more support to smaller venues, as they are the necessary stepping stones for music careers. “Local authorities don’t disappear when Whitehall does, we take responsibility,” Andy said.
Martyn’s Law is around the corner, and it’s crucial that mayors help venues raise the standard for security and awareness. Andy also mentioned #AskforAngerla and training in safety issues such as spiking. Both mayors would like to see a standardised set of venue safety processes – citing The Purple Flag programme.
When asked if they would back a VAT cut, both mayors unanimously said “Yes.” They view it as not a cut, but a boost to the industry. Their intention is for employment standards to rise in the industry, and therefore they would like to see a tax cut, enabling this. Andy’s suggestion is to have a VAT rate consistent with the rest of Europe – and both mayors spoke on the need for more licensed taxis.
At the event, the two mayors revealed they will be delivering an evidence-based proposal to the Government in time for the next budget.
Andy then ended on a joke which linked to the recent news of his bid to return as an MP being blocked by Labour’s NEC. He said: “Alongside the Mayor to Liverpool, I released a book called Head North. The sequel, Head South, is on hold – Who knows? Maybe in the future, eh?”
Zack Polanski’s talk at the NTIA summit 2026
Zack Polanski, Leader of the Green Party, made a surprise appearance at the NTIA summit in Liverpool. Introduced by Steven Braines of HE.SHE.THEY, Zack held a Q&A where he was quizzed on his attitude toward nightlife and his party’s policies.
Zack reminded the audience that he was an actor before politics. He toured stages and understands the value of the nighttime economy. He’s a firm believer that theatre and creativity brings cultures together and will pioneer to preserve these spaces.
Zack starts by discussing The Green Party’s support for the nightlife economy. They see that bills are going up and rents are going up, and respect that regulation is necessary, however what’s also necessary is promotion.
The nightlife economy creates £136 billion per year and needs to be celebrated. Zack argues nightlife is also the antidote to the far-right. They are spaces for creatives to get together and communicate and debate. Zack believes every authority needs a Nightlife Strategy.
Zack is a big advocate of nighttime cafes. His experience of them in New York, they create safer nights, create purpose for keeping the street lights on later, and help the economy thrive. They also put less stress on the daytime economy, extending the operational hours.
He takes inspiration from Australia, where there is a 24-hour economy commissioner for New South Wales. He commented that the Night Tzar failed in London, with limited powers and respect. The position needed more power to succeed and The Green Party would like to see more power to the local economies and powers to protect local residents. He gives an example of Koko’s in Soho, which shut to make way for affordable housing.
Zack would like to see affordable housing for young creatives and artists. He says these individuals are essential to the economy as they are the reason people go to the cities, to enjoy the talents of these individuals. Creatives are keyworkers, and therefore should be given somewhere to live.
Zack wants to repurpose empty spaces, which will help with city integration. He comments that people come to him and say: “My local space feels like a shit-hole. Why don’t government look after the locals?” But Zack disagrees and says we need to invest in dead space, giving them over to creatives, because “Art is the answer to demography divides.”
But Steven Braines challenged him, asking: How do the Green Party intend to pay for investment?
In the short term, Zack states that the Green Party wish to raise the minimum wage. They would then look at reducing bills and energy costs, also reduce the tax rates for nightlife and hospitality. With more money coming into the venues, they will be able to pay better wages. He also favours the ‘Beyonce Tax’, a tax on stadium tickets to support grassroots venues.
In the long term, The Green Party intend to tax the wealthy, targeting the top 50 individuals who possess most of the nation’s wealth, and to stop the tax breaks for millionaires. They hope to reduce rent and reduce the cost of living.
Zack wanted to discuss the decriminalisation of drugs. He strongly believes in legalisation which would improve greater control over drug incidents and deaths. Then with it, comes proper effective regulation. We are losing the war on drugs and people are dying; Zack’s solution is to provide space for people to take drugs in a responsible sensible way – it’s the anti-drug policies that are unsafe.
And to think, the money made on the taxation of drugs – says Zack. Currently the issues are too racialised, he continues. Black men are 8 times more likely to be stop and searched, whereas the stats suggest there is no racial difference in likelihood of possessing drugs. Also it’s known that the majority of drug users are white middle-aged professionals.
Zack received a large applause, and he humbly labelled himself as just: “A hippy wearing a suit.” Before being whisked away to resume his campaign trail in the Merseyside area.
Thank you to the NTIA for hosting an excellent and informative summit. At NDML, we look forward to exhibiting once again at next year’s NTIA summit 2027.