Agenda item

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting in October 2021, Councillor de Faoite had raised a Notice of Motion which focussed on Belfast City’s Nightlife and Night-time Economy which sought to deliver two specific actions, including:

•        a roundtable engagement event which seeks to identify the main challenges facing the city centre’s evening and nighttime economy (ENTE) and opportunities for the future; and

•        the establishment of an ENTE ‘coordinator’.

            It was reported that, at a meeting of the City Centre All-Party Working Group (CCAPWG) on 26th January, 2023, Members had welcomed Amy Lamé, London’s Night Czar, who had provided an overview of her background, role and collaborative approach to ensuring London thrives as a 24-hour city.

            Ms. Lamé had outlined the challenges that she had faced, including changing perceptions of the city at night, ensuring women felt safe in London at night, addressing issues relating to nighttime workers and improving nighttime transport links. Members had heard that, key to addressing these challenges, was working in partnership with the nighttime industries, local authorities, the Metropolitan Police, Transport for London and the general public.

            At the same meeting, Members had also received a presentation from the Council’s Director of Economic Development who provided an update on council related work which was assisting with the revitalisation effort of the night-time economy following the Covid pandemic. This included a presentation on case studies and best practice from other cities and information on Belfast’s Purple Flag status. (Purple Flag was an internationally recognised accreditation for excellence in the nighttime economy and helped to create safe and thriving locations at night for all users).

            It was reported that Belfast City Centre First Achieved Purple Flag Status in 2020, just prior to the lock down and more recently Belfast City Council had joined the Steering Group that was seeking re-accreditation. Membership of the group included representatives from the following organisations:

•        Belfast One BID;

•        Linen Quarter BID;

•        Destination CQ BID;

•        Belfast City Council;

•        Belfast Chamber of Trade & Commerce;

•        PSNI;

•        SOS Bus;

•        Value Cabs;

•        Hospitality Ulster; and

•        Translink.

            As part of its recent application for Purple Flag status, the Steering Group undertook a self-assessment evening in September 2023 which identified the main challenges facing the city’s nighttime economy and a number of areas of improvement in relation to the Purple Flag themes. Belfast City Centre’s Purple Flag status was successfully re-certified in January 2024 (following an assessment conducted by assessors in November 2023).

            The Committee was informed that the CCAPWG had also received a presentation from Mr. C. McCracken, Managing Director of the Linen Quarter BID (on behalf of the Purple Flag Steering Group), at its meeting in May 2024. Mr. McCracken had updated the Working Group on the latest status and outlined the next steps of the process, which included addressing a number of recommendations within the assessors’ feedback report (attached at Appendix 1). It was agreed that the CCAPWG would be used to collate and direct Members’ feedback to the ongoing work of the Purple Flag Steering Group.

Night Czar

            On 11th June 2024, Belfast’s three BIDs (Linen Quarter, Belfast One and Destination CQ) had announced the appointment of Mr. M. Stewart as Belfast’s city centre’s first Night Czar. The role reflected a previous Purple Flag recommendation and would focus on enhancing, coordinating, leading and advocating for the city’s night-time economy. The Night Czar position followed appointments in cities such as London, Manchester, and Edinburgh and was an honorary role attracting remuneration of £12K per year which was jointly funded by the three BIDs.

            Following discussion by the CCAPWG in May, it had been recommended that the Night Czar should be invited to future meetings to engage with elected members. It was proposed that the Working Group would enable ongoing political engagement to ensure that elected representative’s feedback could be provided and discussed (as suggested by best practice from other cities). 

            During discussion, several Members highlighted the need to develop the role and the potential for increased Council involvement and funding requirements.

            The Committee also suggested that the Purple Flag Steering Group engage with Community Groups, Women’s Groups and LGBTQ+ Groups and consider consultation with local neighbourhoods, Queen’s University Belfast, Ulster University, Belfast Metropolitan College and NUS-USI.

            The Committee:

·        Noted the update on action in relation to the Notice of Motion on Belfast City’s Nightlife and Night-time economy;

·        Agreed that Members engage with the newly appointed Night Czar through the City Centre All-Party Working Group;

·        Agreed that a report be submitted to a future meeting on how to develop the Night Czar role and the potential for increased Council involvement, together with options based on best practice advice and funding requirements;

·        Noted that feedback be given to the Purple Flag Steering Group on ensuring effective engagement of Community Groups, Women’s Groups and LGBTQ+ Groups;

·        Noted that feedback be given to the Purple Flag Steering Group to consider consultation with local neighbourhoods, Queen’s University Belfast, Ulster University, Belfast Metropolitan College and NUS-USI; and

·        Agreed not to close the Night-time Economy Motion which was recommended for closure as part of the quarterly Motion update.