Global night life leaders descended on Liverpool for the first day of the annual Night Life Economy Summit in Liverpool on Wednesday.
Throughout the day, across six different stages, there was a huge variety of different speakers from across the nighttime industry.
MerseyNewsLive spoke to several industry representatives involved in the UK night life economy both nationally and locally, including the Ask for Clive initiative.
Ask for Clive is a national campaign, founded in 2019, that works to increase LGBTQ+ inclusivity and protections in pubs and other venues.
Clive Duffey, co-founder of Ask for Clive, said that the campaign has worked to make sure that LGBTQ+ friendly venues are well advertised to those on nights out.
He said: “No matter where you see our sticker, it’s identifying a venue as an LGBT venue, but also finding that it’s a completely inclusive venue.”
When asked about what venues can do to increase inclusivity, he said: “Dependent on the size of the venue, they can join Ask for Clive. You can present the stickers on the front door. They are never anywhere else, only on the front door.”
Throughout the day, across six different stages, there was a variety of speakers including Sacha Lord, chair of the Night Life Industries Association and former nighttime economy advisor to Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham.
Other speakers included representatives of foreign municipal governments from Amsterdam, New York, New South Wales and a representative of the International Nightlife Association – Middle East.
Looking ahead to day two of the summit, keynote speakers include former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, as well as Mr. Burnham and the Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram.
We’re in Liverpool today for Day One of the Night Time Economy Summit and the energy across the city is fantastic.
Over the next two days we’re bringing together political and cultural heavyweights, industry leaders and innovators from across the UK and beyond to shape the… pic.twitter.com/bqC3lV9Zx0
— Michael Kill (@MickKill) February 11, 2026
(Featured image by Sam Levine)
