Stormont is commissioning new research to examine the importance of Northern Ireland’s night time economy, it can be revealed.
Belfast has recently appointed a new ‘night tsar’ – well-known publican and hospitality chief Michael Stewart, aimed at boosting its appeal to visitors and enticing more people into the city.
Traders in the city, and elsewhere in Northern Ireland, have continued to struggle to bounce back following the Covid-19 – which changed both working and socialising habits.
Now, Economy Minister Conor Murphy says his department is now at the early stages of carrying out new research to look at the “value and potential” of the night time economy throughout Northern Ireland.
“I recognise the important contribution of the night-time economy to ensuring our towns and cities are places where people want to live, work, invest and visit,” he said.
“There is insufficient empirical evidence on our night-time economy at present and my department is in the early phases of commissioning research to understand its value and potential.
“I anticipate that I will be able to provide a positive update on this research in the coming months.”
Mr Murphy was responding to an Assembly question from Alliance MLA Kate Nicholl.
And Hospitality Ulster and the Night Time Industries Association have combined forces to create the Northern Ireland Night-Time Commission.
“With Northern Ireland’s nightlife deeply rooted in its rich cultural heritage, this new Commission seeks to advocate for businesses, promote the importance of the night-time economy, and influence critical policy changes via detailed analysis to ensure its continued growth and success,” they say.
“The night-time economy is a cornerstone of Northern Ireland’s identity, attracting millions of visitors each year and significantly contributing to the local and national economy. The hospitality and tourism sector generates over £2bn annually.”
Meanwhile, Belfast’s new ‘night tsar’ recently vowed to do everything possible to bring Culture Night back to the city as he outlined his top priorities for boosting the economy.
The three business improvement districts (BIDs), Belfast One, Linen Quarter and Destination CQ, recruited the Michael Stewart, who has almost four decades of experience in the sector, to work with a host of stakeholders, including bars, clubs, restaurants, transport providers, and even the PSNI, to help turn things around.
“I’d love to see Culture Night back in Belfast and I am looking at the viability of that for next year,” Mr Stewart told the Belfast Telegraph earlier this year.
“It was a brilliant feature of the night time economy.
“I believe culture is the magic dust of Belfast and brings people together.”