Bring on the oldies says Nottingham

A trade body is backing a bid to broaden the appeal of Nottingham city centre at night and combat its image as a binge-drinking hotspot.

The Bar Entertainment and Dance Association (Beda) is joining with police, council leaders and other interested parties to encourage a wider demographic profile among people visiting the city.

The group wants to attract older people who avoid venture into town at night out of fear of drunken disorder.

Reform​The national media has cast Nottingham as a hotbed of binge-drinking in recent years. This has been fuelled by hard-line comments against licensing reform and the conduct of pubs and clubs from the city's chief constable Steve Green.

Research body the Young Foundation has been hired to study what steps can be taken to counter the city's negative image and encourage more people to use it.

Beda executive director Paul Smith has already held meetings with police inspector Paul Winter and Nottingham's two bishops, among others.

Part of their discussions focused on improving safety, including issues such as crowd dispersal, stopping underage drinking and forging closer ties between bars and taxi firms. The city's image was also discussed.

"We are looking for more joined-up thinking about ways of improving the city centre,"​ said Smith.

He pointed to action taken in Manchester a few years ago to attract slightly older customers. Smith suggested that a way forward lies in provision of other attractions, such as live music.

He said the arrival of older drinkers tends to "moderate the behaviour" of punters.

Smith hopes the strategy will be formulated over the next few months.

"Maybe it will be something we can use in other places in the country,"​ he added.