Restaurateur Alex Claridge is the region’s Night Time Economy Advisor, appointed by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). In his role, Alex will act as a champion for the region’s pubs, clubs, bars, concert venues, theatres and restaurants.
The night-time economy is mission critical to the success of the West Midlands but has faced an onslaught of challenges in recent years, having been particularly hard hit by the Covid pandemic, the fallout from Brexit, and the implications of the ongoing cost of living crisis. Alex brings businesses together with wider stakeholders to lobby for investment and action, and acts as a strategic advisor to help the WMCA and local authorities create a thriving and safe night-time economy.
Born and raised in the West Midlands, Alex has been part of the region’s hospitality scene for over a decade and is currently the chef-patron of The Wilderness restaurant, as well as the owner of cocktail bar and creative studio, Atelier Birmingham. He has long been a vocal advocate for the sector, spearheading campaigns for sector support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, alongside working as a consultant for a number of local hospitality businesses and projects.
In addition to Alex’s role on the THAB, he works alongside the WMCA’s Hospitality Skills Taskforce chair Glynn Purnell and maintains a close relationship with the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) trade body.