Michael Kill

Major changes to Business Rates are coming, and the impact on the Night Time Economy could be significant. Join our Virtual NTE Forum on Date : 23rd March | Time : 16:00–17:00 Hear Directly from experts on the following: • The facts behind the reforms • Opportunities and risks for businesses • Key consultations and policy changes • Actions you can take before 1 April 2026 If you operate in hospitality, nightlife or the wider NTE, this conversation matters. Register here and secure your place: skiddle.com/whats-on/Onlin…

Major changes to Business Rates are coming, and the impact on the Night Time Economy could be significant. Join our Virtual NTE Forum on Date : 23rd March | Time : 16:00–17:00 Hear Directly from experts on the following: • The facts behind the reforms • Opportunities and risks for businesses • Key consultations and policy changes • Actions you can take before 1 April 2026 If you operate in hospitality, nightlife or the wider NTE, this conversation matters. Register here and secure your place: skiddle.com/whats-on/Onlin…

VAT REDUCTION FOR HOSPITALITY Please share and comment to help support Hospitality The message is clear and loud, the hospitality industry requires a Vat reduction to help navigate the huge increases in the sector.

The UK night time economy supports 2+ million jobs and generates billions for the economy — yet it remains in structural decline. Across Europe, lower VAT rates for hospitality are protecting jobs and stimulating demand. The UK must act. We’re calling for a targeted VAT reduction to stabilise high streets, safeguard employment and protect long-term tax revenues. It takes less than a minute: • Click the link • Follow the steps • Email your MP (templated and customisable) Act now: buff.ly/GJaRDWM Led by NTIA in collaboration with Institute of Hospitality, Campaign for Pubs, NCASS, Hospitality Voices and The Wonky Table. Practical policy. Now we need public backing.

The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), in partnership with KUVO powered by DJ Monitor, is proud to launch the UK 2025 Dancefloor Charts — revealing the most played tracks, artists and labels across more than 75 UK venues participating in the Music Recognition Technology (MRT) initiative. 🎶 Powered by KUVO’s advanced music recognition technology and verified play data from MRT-enabled venues, the charts provide one of the most transparent and accurate reflections of what’s truly being played on UK dancefloors. Beyond highlighting the records that defined 2025, this initiative supports a wider mission: strengthening playlist transparency, accurate reporting, and fair royalty distribution across the night-time economy. Ensuring the music played in venues is properly recognised helps artists, writers and creators receive the compensation they deserve, while also supporting venues navigating an increasingly complex licensing environment. NTIA fully endorses the KUVO powered by DJ Monitor initiative and encourages more venues to participate to further improve data accuracy and representation across the sector. As NTIA CEO Michael Kill explains: “This chart captures the authentic pulse of electronic music culture in 2025. By working with MRT venues and KUVO’s technology, we are creating a transparent and credible reflection of what is truly being played on dancefloors.” 📊 Explore the UK 2025 Dancefloor Charts: kuvo.com/charts/uk-2025… 🎧 Find out how venues can participate: kuvo.com/partnership-wi… #NTIA #NightTimeEconomy #ElectronicMusic #DancefloorCulture #MusicIndustry #DJCulture #KUVO

Looking forward to a busy and inspiring day of catch-ups. Catching up with Nick Rainbow at Specsavers to talk “Listen for Life” developments, alongside a conversation with NDML on a new licence-secure product, something that feels increasingly important for safeguarding businesses in the current climate. I’ll also be speaking with Angela Lewis about our UNESCO work, following a fantastic House of Commons event with UK Music celebrating the Black Music Means Business report, and connecting with Geoff Row from the Live Comedy Association. The afternoon is (sadly!) all office-based, with plenty to catch up on, but it’s one of those weeks with lots to celebrate and plenty to reflect on. Onwards 👊

Inflation may appear to be holding steady for now, currently sitting around 3.75% , but the direction of travel is increasingly uncertain. At the same time, unemployment remains relatively stable at approximately 5.2%, masking the underlying strain many sectors, including the night-time economy, are already experiencing. With global tensions pushing up energy prices and increasing supply chain pressures, there is a clear expectation that inflation will begin to rise again in the months ahead. This creates a challenging environment where costs increase, but consumer confidence and spending power remain fragile. For night-time businesses, this means navigating: • Higher operating costs (energy, staffing, supply) • Continued pressure on discretionary spending • Limited ability to pass on price increases without impacting footfall The risk is a delayed economic squeeze, where today’s stable figures give way to sharper increases in inflation, followed by rising unemployment as businesses struggle to absorb sustained cost pressures. We urge government to act ahead of the curve, with targeted support, energy relief, and a clear strategy to protect sectors that are highly exposed to shifts in consumer confidence. The night-time economy has proven its resilience, but it cannot be expected to weather another wave of economic pressure without meaningful support. #NTIA #NightTimeEconomy #Inflation #Unemployment #CostOfLiving #Hospitality

The UK night time economy supports 2+ million jobs and generates billions for the economy — yet it remains in structural decline. Across Europe, lower VAT rates for hospitality are protecting jobs and stimulating demand. The UK must act. We’re calling for a targeted VAT reduction to stabilise high streets, safeguard employment and protect long-term tax revenues. It takes less than a minute: • Click the link • Follow the steps • Email your MP (templated and customisable) Act now: buff.ly/GJaRDWM Led by NTIA in collaboration with Institute of Hospitality, Campaign for Pubs, NCASS, Hospitality Voices and The Wonky Table. Practical policy. Now we need public backing.

What would happen to your venue if your licence was suspended tomorrow? Across the UK, licensing pressure is increasing. Complaints, incidents and reviews are rising, and in many cases venues are being shut down before they have the chance to properly defend themselves. Without a licence, you simply cannot trade. Our trusted partner NDML Insurance has launched Licensecure — the UK’s first legal protection service built specifically for licensed nightlife venues. It provides specialist legal defence, crisis support and up to £100,000 in licensing protection if your venue faces suspension, review or revocation. Because when something goes wrong, the clock starts ticking immediately. Protect your venue, your people and your livelihood. Get a quote today: ndml.co.uk/licensecure-li…

Major changes to Business Rates are coming, and the impact on the Night Time Economy could be significant. Join our Virtual NTE Forum on Date : 23rd March | Time : 16:00–17:00 Hear Directly from experts on the following: • The facts behind the reforms • Opportunities and risks for businesses • Key consultations and policy changes • Actions you can take before 1 April 2026 If you operate in hospitality, nightlife or the wider NTE, this conversation matters. Register here and secure your place: skiddle.com/whats-on/Onlin…

Great to catch up with friends last night at the UK Music launch of the Black Music Means Business report at Speaker’s House, such an important milestone, well done to everyone involved. Straight back into it today with HELA on Listen for Life training, then meeting the Institute of Hospitality to explore a new collaboration (always a pleasure working with IOH). Later, recording a podcast with Brandon Block on a topic we both know all too well, and finishing the day catching up with the International Nightlife Association on this year’s Congress.

Yesterday was another day of political shouting, but the real story is what it means for the night-time economy. While Labour and the Tories clash over culture wars, scandals and PMQs theatrics, the decisions that actually shape trading conditions for hospitality and late-night operators are shifting in the background. A potential watering down of immigration changes suggests uncertainty over workforce supply will continue, with venues, bars, clubs and security providers still unclear on whether staffing pressures will ease or tighten in the years ahead. At the same time, rising geopolitical tensions, particularly around Iran and global energy routes — risk feeding through into higher energy prices and supply chain costs, something the sector can ill afford after years of volatility. Add in looming foreign aid cuts and broader fiscal pressure, and it signals a government still searching for where to find savings, with knock-on effects for business support and local economies. Perhaps most concerning is the lack of clarity. Mixed signals from government on migration policy, internal political divisions, and constant reactive policymaking all create an unstable environment for operators trying to plan, invest and grow. For a sector already dealing with high costs, staffing shortages and fragile consumer confidence, uncertainty is often as damaging as the policy itself. The headlines may be dominated by political point-scoring, but for the night-time economy the impact is real: tighter margins, ongoing staffing challenges, and no clear long-term direction. #NightTimeEconomy #Hospitality #UKPolitics

Hi @JoePJRobertson we have said that a permanent 100% business rates, whilst welcome is not cut is not the correct measure. We want and need a #VatCut in line with Europe #TaxedOut #HospitalityVoices #VatinlinewithEurope

📣 Support an emergency #VATCut for #pubs & #hospitality - email your MP TODAY! Other European nations back their hospitality businesses with lower VAT. This is the simplest & most effective way to support pubs, restaurants, hotels, cafés, live music venues & clubs through the cost of living crisis. We are proud to be campaigning for an emergency #VATCut for #hospitality alongside @IoH_Online @ntiaofficial @wonky_table @NCASS_UK @HospoVoices ⬇️🤝🍻 Email your MP here ⬇️ actionbutton.nationbuilder.com/share/SPK-QEZI…

🌍 Nominations Now Open: The World’s 100 Best Clubs™ 2026 As many of you already know, nominations for The World’s 100 Best Clubs™ 2026 list are officially open. To help you encourage participation within your community, we’ve provided a promotional asset featuring the NTIA UK logo that you can share with your members and networks. 🗳️ Submit nominations here: nightlifeinternational.org/en/nominations 📅 Deadline: March 31, 2026 We encourage all members to take part and help ensure the UK’s best venues are represented on the global stage. #Worlds100BestClubs #NightlifeIndustry #NTIA #ClubCulture

The Fourth Electronic Music Report (NTIA x Audience Strategies x Amazon Music) reveals: The UK electronic music sector generated £2.47bn in 2025, growing 3% year-on-year, despite losing over one in three nightclubs since 2020. • 36% of clubs lost since March 2020 (823 remain) • Mid-tier venues (500–2,500 capacity) now just 15% of the market • Grassroots venues operating on 0.48% average profit margins • Free events up 34% YoY • Daytime events up 82% since 2022 • The North of England leading 93% growth Global success continues, 13 UK artists in the Top 100 DJs and £86.8m in exports (+8%), but domestic infrastructure is under severe strain. Resilience is not a substitute for policy. Read the full report: ntia.co.uk/uk-electronic-… #NightTimeEconomy #ElectronicMusicReport #CreativeEconomy #MusicIndustry #Policy

What would happen to your venue if your licence was suspended tomorrow? Across the UK, licensing pressure is increasing. Complaints, incidents and reviews are rising, and in many cases venues are being shut down before they have the chance to properly defend themselves. Without a licence, you simply cannot trade. Our trusted partner NDML Insurance has launched Licensecure — the UK’s first legal protection service built specifically for licensed nightlife venues. It provides specialist legal defence, crisis support and up to £100,000 in licensing protection if your venue faces suspension, review or revocation. Because when something goes wrong, the clock starts ticking immediately. Protect your venue, your people and your livelihood. Get a quote today: ndml.co.uk/licensecure-li…

Who else is fed up with the constant pandering, small, marginalised measures being released by Government, designed to appease an industry that is fundamentally struggling? Business rates reform, 15% relief, tweaks to methodology… all on what is clearly a longstanding, structural issue. It feels like costs and taxes were increased by £1, only to hand back 15p and expect gratitude.This isn’t reform. It’s papering over cracks. We hear about “support” for 500 hospitality businesses to cut energy bills, yet there are nearly 40,000 pubs alone. The scale simply doesn’t match the reality. We see the investment in youth re-employment schemes, when the it is clear that the increases in employer NIC contributions had already driven thousands out of work due to business affordability. At the same time, we’re defunding security apprenticeships, exactly when we should be ramping up recruitment in preparation for Martyn’s Law. Where is the joined-up thinking? And still, some voices are saying “take the win”, celebrate the small victories. But this complicit approach only enables the status quo. It gives Government permission to carry on without addressing the real issues. Costs will continue to rise. Businesses will continue to struggle. This “war” on viability doesn’t stop with half-measures. We need bold, decisive intervention. We need a unified voice with clear, strategic demands. We are a soft power industry, one that drives culture, community, and economic value. Rant over… but the question remains: will anything change? That’s down to all of us. I know there are people who will continue to fight, but we also need those who simply nod along and accept these measures to stop and reflect on the impact they’re having. Because that complicit action only makes it easier for Government to avoid addressing the root of the problem.

Looking forward to a packed midweek marker, full of great conversations and new opportunities. Starting the day meeting with Dame Caroline Dinenage to explore developments within the electronic music sector. Then dropping in mid-morning with Club X to discuss new ideas, followed by catching up separately with the Sounded Out team. Early afternoon brings a meeting with Jade Craig from Game Changers to talk through future collaborations, followed by a session with a new supplier, Biobuds. Later in the day, I have the privilege of catching up with Guy Porteous from the Stocktakers Association and Ben Butler from the Federation of Small Businesses. Rounding things off this evening at the House of Commons with Mark Yearwood, supporting UK Music and the Black Music Means Business report. Amazing work happening across the board, really looking forward to connecting with colleagues and pushing things forward.

While headlines are dominated by global conflicts, there are real knock-on effects for the night-time economy that shouldn’t be ignored. Global instability (Ukraine + Middle East) is already feeding into rising energy costs, supply chain disruption, and weaker consumer confidence, all of which hit venues, bars, and late-night operators first. There’s also growing economic uncertainty at home. With no firm commitment against future tax rises, businesses are continuing to operate in a volatile cost environment across staffing, rent, and utilities. Rachel Reeves’ proposed devolution plans are a big one to watch, including giving regional leaders control over portions of income tax and how it’s spent. That could reshape local funding, business support, and taxation at a city level, with major implications for nightlife hubs. At the same time, closer UK-EU alignment could ease some longer-term pressures on staffing and supply chains, but for now, uncertainty still dominates. Tech and AI investment is accelerating, creating opportunities in areas like security and operations , but smaller operators risk being left behind without clear support. And on the ground, public health risks (like the meningitis outbreak in Kent) are a reminder of how quickly footfall and consumer behaviour can shift. Bottom line: the night-time economy doesn’t operate in a vacuum. Global politics, national policy, and local decisions all shape what happens on our high streets after dark. #NightTimeEconomy #Hospitality #UKBusiness #Policy

Major changes to Business Rates are coming, and the impact on the Night Time Economy could be significant. Join our Virtual NTE Forum on Date : 23rd March | Time : 16:00–17:00 Hear Directly from experts on the following: • The facts behind the reforms • Opportunities and risks for businesses • Key consultations and policy changes • Actions you can take before 1 April 2026 If you operate in hospitality, nightlife or the wider NTE, this conversation matters. Register here and secure your place: skiddle.com/whats-on/Onlin…