Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: April 9, 2025

Purpose: The final report of the Night Time Economy Scrutiny Task and Finish Group

Content: That the following 15 recommendations contained in the Night Time Economy Scrutiny Task and Finish Group Final Report be approved:   1.    The City, supported by the Council, needs to formulate an Evening and Nighttime Economy (ENTE) strategy and action plan.    2.    City centre partners, including the Council, need to work together to invest in brighter and better lighting in the City centre to make people feel safer and to improve the visual appearance of the City to visitors.    3.    The Council needs to work with West Midlands Police and other partners to make people safer and improve public perception of safety in the City centre at night, especially during the evening.    4.    Signposting around the City centre to key visitor venues needs to be improved and a ‘zoned’ approach to this needs to be considered.   5.    Working with key City partners, the Council should work to encourage the consolidation of forums to bring venue operators together, be they pubs, clubs, music venues, restaurants, or the University of Wolverhampton. Public-private partnership and working to maximise economic opportunities in the City centre all year round is key to an effective, co-ordinated approach.     6.    The Council needs to ensure a data-led approach to regeneration and visitor economy investment with data sharing with the private sector encouraged to maximise a targeted approach to economic development and growth.    7.    The Council should designate a team or individual, who would work with Councillors in the appropriate forum, who is dedicated to ENTE to enable this work to be delivered in conjunction with partners.    8.    To work with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and public service transport operators to improve the availability of public transport access on key evenings in the City to improve footfall retention.    9.    To identify and designate a ENTE Ambassador/Champion.    10.Council to strategise, enable and encourage City centre living and housebuilding to create new communities in the City centre which create footfall both during the day and at night.   11.Acknowledging the current financial climate and challenges, to consider the pricing of evening and nighttime car parking and to consider opportunities to offer special one-off lower fees to appeal to specific days in line with marketing and events.   12.For the Council to consider cross marketing events and opportunities.   13.To input into the Economy and Growth Scrutiny Panel remit an annual requirement to consider the Evening and Night Time Economy.   14.The task and finish group welcomed the input of City youngsters and many of their recommendations are included into points above but the group recommends that officers specifically consider how the wider offer and activities in the city centre can be improved to bring in more young people as they are the future of our city centre.   15.For the information and evidence gathered from this Panel to be shared with the consultants the Council has hired to develop the city’s ENTE strategy.