DublinTown welcomes Minister’s commitment to the Night-time economy

DublinTown welcomes the recent comments from Minister Josepha Madigan on the plans announced as part of the programme for government to support and develop the evening and night time economy. These commitments of support are needed now more than ever as hospitality businesses began the difficult process of re-opening as part of phase 3 and will be needed to support the growth of the industry as life begins to return to normal.

DublinTown was part of the original pilot programme for the Purple Flag scheme in Ireland and has also taken part in the Responsible Hospitality Institutes’ Sociable City programme. We have long advocated for greater support and consideration for the evening and night-time economy and the broader hospitality and cultural sectors, including greater focus on night-time management, increased public transport provision as well as measures to increase safety in the city at night. How people use cities across the world is changing and the evening and night-time economy is only going increase in its importance, there are significant commercial benefits that this promises and a coordinated, multi-sector approach is needed to fully reap these benefits.

There are 5 BIDs and 23 Purple Flag towns in Ireland.  These have functioning town teams, which have considered access, egress to towns and pedestrian movements through them. We all work together in partnership. The formal structures through BID’s and town teams that include Local Authorities, Gardai and local businesses. Each have town plans that are being reconsidered in the light of Covid 19 requirements. This expertise and experience should be utilised in the wider planning processes and learnings shared with other towns. Through ATCM and International Downtown Association (IDA) these towns have access to best international practice and experience.

We believe that this network can be central to helping to deliver the aims set out in the programme for Government. DublinTown will continue to advocate and lobby on behalf of our members and the wider evening and night-time economy.