Diversity is key to night-time growth
Diversity is key to improving Britain's night-time economy, according to the Civic Trust's new Nightvision report.
The report recommends more "non-alcohol related activities" and venues for families and older people and calls for action to be taken to tackle "noise, disorder and street fouling" caused by the "rapid expansion of bars and clubs in towns and cities".
Other Nightvision recommendations include better planning, public transport and later opening times for shops and public areas such as art galleries and libraries.
In some cases, town and city centres are now busier during the evening than they are during the dayCivic Trust policy and research manager Hannah Mummery.
The report claims that such steps would reduce levels of crime, noise, disturbances, street fouling and drink and drugs-related hospital admissions.
Civic Trust policy and research manager Hannah Mummery said: "In some cases, town and city centres are now busier during the evening than they are during the day.
"So it makes good social policy and business sense for town and city centres to offer a more diverse range of activities during the evening."
Civic Trust's 10 principles to improve town and city centres:1 Warn people about the dangers of heavy drinking2 Understand more about what consumers want3 Promote local choice, with locally-owned and distinctive venues4 Create family-friendly and child-friendly centres5 Improve public transport6 Make public areas welcoming and hospitable7 Better planning to shield residents from disturbances and create better-managed night-time destinations8 Better town-centre design9 More flexible hours for public buildings such as art galleries and libraries10 Later shopping hour
