I’ve been on both sides of the door — as a customer on a night out, and as the person running the venue.
For more than 25 years I’ve experienced the night-time economy from almost every angle. I’ve been a customer, a DJ, a promoter, a nightclub operator and a venue manager — gaining first-hand experience of what actually makes a night work.
I’ve managed some of the region’s most high-profile and long-standing venues, including SOHO, The Keys, The Empire — across everything from wet-led nightclubs and live music to food-led hospitality. That means I understand P&L, licensing compliance, staff training, and event programming from the inside, not just the policy side.
Over the years I’ve also worked on shows with some of the biggest names in music and entertainment, including Joel Corry, Paul Oakenfold, Marvin Humes, Gok Wan, Todd Terry, Jessie Ware, to name but a few, delivering the same standard of professionalism and attention to detail that any major act or even demands.
Alongside running venues, I’ve spent the last few years building a following documenting the real night-time economy — door staff, DJs, the safety measures that actually matter. That content has reached over a million views, and when I started posting about things like bleed kits and drug safety, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner started sharing it themselves.
Now I bring all of that experience to Teesside After Dark — providing independent, practical advice to venues, businesses, partnerships and destinations looking to understand and improve their night-time economy.
I’ve been the customer. I’ve run the venue. Now I help others get it right.