Night Time Industries Association formed to revive Sydney’s nightlife

The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has been formed by executives in music, the arts, retail and hospitality with the sole purpose of revitalising Sydney’s night-time economy through a show of unity.

The NTIA has its eye on the March 2019 NSW election, aiming to get more government support for initiatives to spark up the sector.

It’s more than just scrapping the lockout laws, it says. It needs to get rid of the bureaucratic red tape that’s weighing down the sector, citing that three government sectors handle noise issue.

NTIA chair Michael Rodrigues, managing director of Time Out Australia, says that 176 venues have closed across Sydney in recent years and the shuttering of the Basement club was a flashpoint.

“Those of us who care about getting people off their couch and out to events, live shows and community activities are worried that if we don’t stand together, even more venues of cultural significance will close,” he said.

“Sydney’s reputation as a global city and premier tourist destination has taken a big hit over the last few years because of lock-out laws.”

The NTIA board includes Kerri Glasscock (Sydney Fringe), Justine Baker (Solotel), Rennie Addabbo (Sonos) and Greg Khoury (Century Venues).

They are inviting others to become members.

The night-time economy (NTE) generally involves social, cultural and business activities that take place from 6pm-6am.

The NSW government has stated: “The night-time economy is a key driver of growth, and a significant contributor to the economy more broadly, employing around 1.17 million people across Australia and generating over $121 million in sales turnover nationally.

City of Sydney calls Sydney’s night-time economy as “critical to our city’s future – it generates more than $3.64 billion in revenue each year, with more than 4,600 businesses employing more than 32,000 people.”

Already sectors of the government are distancing themselves from the unpopular Sydney lockouts.

It was recently reported that deputy premier John Barilaro is pushing to scrap the lockout laws by the end of the year, while Keep Sydney Open is gearing up to make it an election issue.