Bristol’s tech and creative businesses will get the opportunity to find out the views of the candidates in May’s West of England Metro Mayoral election at a special hustings next month.
All six candidates to declare so far have promised to attend the event and put forward their views on the sectors, which are both key to the region’s economic growth. 
The CreaTech mayoral hustings takes place at Bristol’s Engine Shed innovation hub at Temple Meads on April 20.
A West of England CreaTech Manifesto, presenting the views and needs of the sectors, is expected to be launched at the event. It will build on the Bristol version created last year for the city’s mayoral election.
Engine Shed director Nick Sturge said the TechNation 2017 report published this week showed the strength and importance of the digital economy to the Bristol and Bath area. Now the third largest in the UK, it contributes £8bn to the economy. It also ranked fourth for the highest growth in digital turnover.
“It is therefore critical that citizens and businesses in the West of England understand the aspirations and characters of those wishing to lead the new combined authority, and to make their views known to them,” he said.
The West of England mayoral election takes place on May 4.
Candidates:
· Tim Bowles (Conservative)
· Aaron Foot (UKIP)
· Darren Hall (Green)
· Lesley Mansell (Labour)
· John Savage (Independent)
· Stephen Williams (Liberal Democrat)
