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Amy Lamé, the London 'Night Czar' visited Belfast on Thursday to review the night economy picture
Damien Edgar, 29 Jan
London's 'Night Czar' has visited Belfast with a view to suggesting how options for the night-time economy in the city could be improved or added.
Amy Lamé has served as the person responsible for ensuring London "thrives as a 24-hour city", since 2016.
She was invited to Belfast to discuss with a range of city organisations the best ways to improve and grow Belfast's offerings.
That included representatives from
Translink
, Visit Belfast,
Belfast City Council
, Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Hospitality Ulster, BIDs (Linen Quarter,
Cathedral Quarter
, Belfast One), Retail NI, IMTAC, Free the Night and the
PSNI
.
Amy Lamé, also a BBC Radio 6 presenter, as well as a performer, writer and TV presenter, said she was delighted to come to Belfast and learn about "the cityâs work to boost life at night and share our experiences".
"In London we are proud of our varied and bustling nightlife, and the 1.4m Londoners working evenings and nights across a variety of sectors," she said.
"We share similar significant challenges with the lasting impact of the pandemic and the cost of living crisis, and it is so important to learn what other cities are doing to tackle this.
"I am proud Belfast and London share a collective commitment to work closely with councils, businesses, residents and workers to ensure we are a creating a fair, inclusive and sustainable life at night."
London 'Night Czar' Amy Lamé
The Translink Chief Executive Chris Conway said the visit had been invaluable and that it tied in with their commitment to build on the winter Nightmovers service, which saw 10,000 people across Belfast and Derry using late transport services.
"Translink is one piece of the jigsaw when it comes to the local night-time economy with our services providing a vital link that connects people to jobs, hospitality and more," he said.
"So itâs essential we continue to work with other city representatives in a joined-up approach to maximise the potential of our evening economy."
The challenges presented by the cost-of-living crisis and budgetary constraints was acknowledged by Belfast City Council's Chair on the All-Party City Centre group, Mal O'Hara.
"Despite the challenges, Belfast has incredible strengths to build upon, not least our unique music experience, as a UNESCO music city, our cultural festivals and events, and our fantastic food and hospitality offer," he said.
"Building Belfastâs night time economy provides an opportunity to attract people to stay longer and spend more and to create more jobs in the hospitality, leisure and cultural sectors, as well as the taxi and private hire trade."
The organisations are due to get feedback from Amy Lamé on what on her key recommendations are "to help drive forward the partnershipâs combined vision for an improved year-round night-time economy in Belfast".