Paul Smith: Government has patently disregarded good industry advice

As the full horror of Labour's local and European losses become apparent, the inevitable government spin starts to put a brave face on what is in fact, an understandable electoral drubbing.

The spin doctors are telling us that the general public are digruntled with the mainstream parties - Labour as well as Tory. This is clearly just another red herring - as it is hard to see this as merely a broader poltical discontent when the government is so obviously floundering.

The numerous vox pops show that the voters believe New Labour has run out of good ideas, steam and luck - not a happy combination!

Much of these self same voters seem to be sick and tired of ineffective management of our country. I also hear this refrain all too often.

This, as some periodically state, is not a failure on behalf of our industry to present its case - although the lack of a single focus has sometimes weakened our case. It is more due to a patent disregard by government to heed the good advice offered by our industry and other stakeholders.

We would suggest to future governments they should use consultations to actually learn from industry experts - not just base policy on a mix of personal views and political expediency.

At Noctis we have made the point many times that around 4 million people go out to late night bars and clubs in the UK every weekend. To put this into context, this is approximately ten times the number of people who go to see live football - in other words hardly a niche activity. If we look at the government's response to our sector, it couldn't be more contradictory.

With professionalism in our sector at an all time high, our industry provides much needed entertainment and employment to the UK economy, one could imagine why we should be welcomed with open arms by grateful politicians

What we actually get is a government cowed by media opinion - and a media hardwired to only publish bad news. Crucially we need to work harder to change this tired old script.

As we go forward into more uncertain times, tackling the media's pernicious influence on our industry through coordinated industry action has to be a central piece of work in which we have to put more time energy and resource. Project 10, Best Bar None and Purple flag are all helping to moderate the message of gloom.

We also need to build upon the great initial efforts we have started alongside AB Inbev on social norms working to fight the myths of Binge Britain.

Finally we need to firmly root partnership working in deed as well as name - no mean feat. This will help us have a much more balanced debate about what our industry contributes the UK - not just what it costs.

All of these elements above are ongoing pieces of work which Noctis is doing from our point of view. However effective we are, we need to collaborate with more fellow travellers to exact some real changes in the way our industry is viewed.

Paul Smith is executive director of late-night operator trade group Noctis​