Our statement on the closure of Bristol Nights
Update - 11 May
The extraordinary meeting of the economy and skills committee on Friday 8 May has voted to reinstate the nighttime economy advisor role and to create a nighttime economic advisory board. You can read more about this here.
We're pleased that the council have reconsidered their position, and are confident that this will benefit students.
Our Statement on Closure of Bristol Nights - 7 May
As the elected officer team representing Bristol Students’ Union and 30,000 University of Bristol students, we are deeply disappointed by Bristol City Council’s decision to terminate the role of the Night-time Economy Advisor and close the Bristol Nights Panel. These initiatives have played a vital role in making Bristol a safer, more inclusive, and more welcoming city for students.
Key campaigns delivered through this work, including The Bristol Rules, the Women’s Safety Charter, and initiatives focused on harm reduction in the night-time economy have been widely recognised and made a real difference to University of Bristol students. They created a clear, city-wide message about how to stay safe on a night out and provided reassurance not only to students, but also to their families when making the decision to move to Bristol. That shared approach and visibility have helped build a better, safer nightlife culture for everyone.
Bristol’s night-time economy is about more than fun, culture and community. It’s a critical part of the city’s economy, supporting around 40% of jobs in Bristol. For many students, it’s where they find flexible, part-time work. Right now, students are under serious financial pressure. Some are left with as little as £50 a month after rent. Having access to paid work that fits around study isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s essential for staying in education.
Furthermore, Bristol’s nightlife is a defining part of its identity as a university city and a big reason why many students choose to study here. However, with pubs closing at an alarming rate nationally (two per day so far this year) the sustainability of this sector is already under threat. Without clear leadership and advocacy, who will represent and protect Bristol’s nightlife, ensuring it continues to thrive and attract students to the city?
We urge the Council to reconsider this direction. With the opening of a new campus in the city centre in September, we’ve never needed the work of Bristol Nights more to build a city-wide culture of safety, consent and harm reduction. A strong night-time economy needs leadership from a dedicated Night-time Economy Advisor, backed by a panel of professionals who understand venues, events, and licensing across the city. Students are not just participants in Bristol’s nightlife, they are workers, residents, and key stakeholders in its future.
