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Bars, restaurants and clubs could ‘prevent high street decline’

Some 91% councils in England believe the night time economy will play an important role in “preventing the decline of high street retail”, a survey by Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) and the Portman Group has found.

The survey ran for a month between 17 July and 15 August 2018 and found that 74% of decision-makers in local English government saw the development of the night time economy as “a key priority” or “important”.

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The report, titled ‘Local partnership working for a vibrant night time economy’ said night time trade was “becoming a central part of the future of the UK high street” as bars, restaurants and clubs took over retail premises and offered new options for evening entertainment.

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Other findings of the survey included 88% claiming to treat their area’s night time economy as a way of supporting local businesses and job creation while 74% saw it as a way of attracting new people to the area. Just 22% of councils said they had a dedicated night time economy strategy. Some 75% of councils said they would welcome national level policy to facilitate the sharing of best practice and information.

On the other hand, antisocial behaviour and crime was cited as a concern with regards to the night time economy, as 72% of councils placed it in their top three challenges.

Jonathan Carr-West chief executive of LGiU, said: Across the country, councils are pioneering ambitious night time economy strategies that work for their local community, bringing jobs, leisure and tourism. It is a testament to the foresight and vision of those people leading local authorities that the night time economy has been embraced as an untapped opportunity rather than simply a challenge to be managed.

“Our research demonstrates that councils have a sophisticated understanding of their local context and are already delivering on bold strategies based on local priorities for the future. The high street is undergoing a period of rapid evolution and councils are well positioned to steer this change in a locally sensitive and positive way.”

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