Northern Irish nightlife-focused campaign group Free The Night is hosting a series of online discussions this month to open up the conversation around Northern Ireland’s night time economy and creative industries. Taking place on the last three Monday’s this August, the events will cover issues affecting promoters, event organisers, venue owners, creative artists and other sectors involved in the night time economy.

These events will be hosted by Free The Night campaigners and industry specialists; including Give Us The Night’s Sunil Sharpe, DJ Holly Lester, local promoters Plain Sailing, publican Ciaran Bittles and more. This will be an opportunity to learn more about the Free the Night campaign and be involved in shaping discussions with policymakers in Northern Ireland.

Free The Night works closely with Queen’s University researcher Ciara Power, who will also be present for each event. The information collected from these online discussions will inform future stages of research and allow the steering committee to begin thinking about the future of the creative night time economy in Northern Ireland. The discussions will also serve to shape future engagement with local politicians and the NI assembly.

This is an open call for participants to raise issues around the Northern Ireland night time economy to lobby the NI Assembly for a more progressive night time economy. Free The Night encourages stakeholders to join us in discussion at the following events.  These events will take place online and are free to attend, sign up via Eventbrite below.

Free The Night Open Discussions

Monday 16th August, ​​7PM – 8PM

Week 1: Promoters and Event Organisers

*With Andy Moore (Plain Sailing Founder) + Suni Sharpe (DJ, Give Us The Night Founder, Free the   Night Advisor)

Event sign up:   https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/free-the-night-open-discussion-promoters-and-event-organisers-tickets-165749277551

Monday 23rd August,  7PM – 8PM

Week 2: Artists, Creatives and Technicians

*With Holly Lester (DJ, Label Manager + Free the Night Co-Founder) and Sunil Sharpe (DJ, Give Us The Night Founder, Free the Night Advisor)

Event sign up:  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/free-the-night-open-discussion-artists-creatives-and-technicians-tickets-165779616295

Monday 30th August, 7PM – 8PM

Week 3: Venue Owners

*With Boyd Sleator (Free The Night co-founder) and Ciaran Bittles (Bittles Bar)

Event sign up:  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/free-the-night-open-discussion-venue-owners-tickets-165780119801

For more information or queries, please email info@freethenight.org