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NightVision:

Report on United Kingdom's Nighttime Economy

Tuesday
July 24, 2007

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The United Kingdom recently instituted a 24/7 policy licensing bars, pubs and clubs to remain open at all hours as a way to reduce closing time crowds. The Civic Trust conducted a three year study of the nighttime economy and organized a comprehensive public information campaign on how to make the Town Centre more vibrant and vital to community life, and adapt to the new licensing procedures.

 

Panelist

Paul Davies
Head of Policy and Development
The Civic Trust
Bio

 

Quotes

"24/7 licensing did not lead to Armageddon in the streets. In fact, crime overall is falling dramatically, despite the main [headlines] - it's an image problem."

"There's a strong cafe culture with lots of outdoor seating in [Leicester Square]. In this particular area, it has been shown to reduce crime quite significantly."

"There's a nation of night owls growing here, and clearly a huge change in lifestyles that haven't been followed by a change in the way we run our [town] centres."

"Having the need for lots of police on the streets advertises the fact that the district has failed."

"A street designed successfully for the daytime can be quite dangerous at night."

"Control and customer care are prerequisites to...a positive vision, [however] there is often too much focus on control."

"Live music can kick-start a generation and give a unique identity to an area."

Summary

Preliminary Results of 24/7 Licensing Policy in the UK:

  • Overall reduction in crime

  • Increase in antisocial behavior, noise and nuisance complaints between 3 and 6 a.m.

  • More flexibility in regulation of the hospitality industry

  • Typical extension of only 1-2 hours past previously established closing times

Challenges and Opportunities:

  • Broadening the appeal of the late-night market by offering vibrant entertainment choices for a diverse mix of ages, lifestyles and cultures

  • Showcasing positive aspects of town centres to overcome and counteract negative publicity perpetuated by the media

  • Designing functional, mixed-use streets with a rich balance of mutually supporting activities where café culture thrives

  • Establishment of safe late-night transport that links attractions & services

  • Provision of public services (e.g. toilets) past conventional business hours

  • To survive in a youth-saturated market, operators and "culturepreneurs" must innovate to create a higher quality experience through provision of customer service, fine food, diverse beverage choices and good music

  • Raising the customer experience beyond "clean and safe" to "put down the welcome mat"

NightVision Report:

  • Aims to create town centres that offer more balanced choices with long term economic vitality, are representative of diverse interests and are more self regulating by having more people around rather than fewer.

  • 4 Standards for a Successful Town Centre:

    1) Hospitable

    2) Accessible & Attractive

    3) Mixed-uses

    4) Entertainment

Resources

The Civic Trust

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