Debate contribution: Belfast's Night-time Economy

Debate contribution by Ms Kate Nicholl on 4 February 2025.

MLA

Ms Kate Nicholl

Party at the time

Alliance Party

Date

4 February 2025

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Adjournment

Heading

Belfast's Night-time Economy

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4779689

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I thank the Member who secured the Adjournment debate. There are so many reasons to be proud of Belfast and our evening and night-time economy. As Members have mentioned, it has really transformed in the past decades. I remember that, when we first moved here from Zimbabwe in 2000, the Cathedral Quarter was somewhere you never would have gone — I actually met my husband in the Duke of York pub. When you think of what it was like then, when we first arrived, and then think of nights such as Culture Night and all the restaurants and the bars and the vibrancy, you realise that it really has transformed. There are so many people who have been behind that and have driven that: the people who work in the pubs and the restaurants, the council workers and transport workers and many others who have contributed. It takes a lot of collaboration and connection to build such a successful ecosystem. The purple flag award that Belfast received in 2024 is clear recognition of the vibrancy and safety of our night-time economy. The appointment of Michael Stewart as night tsar and the establishment of the Northern Ireland Night-Time Commission are positive developments. I am excited to see what work they do through that ongoing collaboration. Belfast is a destination not just for people across the region but for tourists. The Night Time Industries Association stated:

"The night-time economy is a cornerstone of Northern Ireland's identity, attracting millions of visitors each year and significantly contributing to the local and national economy."

We should be really proud of that. We have a duty to protect it and build on our successes. One of the things that I have pushed for is a quantification of the value of the night-time economy. In October, I put a question to the Minister about developing an evaluation of the economic value of the late-night economy in Belfast and Northern Ireland more broadly. The Minister's commissioning of research is positive and something that many organisations have called for. I would like a bit more clarity on the remit of the research that will be undertaken, who will undertake it and when it will be completed. We must address the misconceptions and misunderstandings around the night-time economy here, and the provision of a solid evidence base for future investment is important.

I absolutely support that, and I will not go into more detail because there are many other areas that I want to touch on. Transport is an issue. The Chair of the Economy Committee talked well about how Translink had submitted its business case for a year-round Nightmovers service, which will stimulate its customer base and extend the service into future years. The roll-out of public transport is a no-brainer, and the service was successful over the Christmas period and in previous years. We need to build confidence that when you come into the city, you will have a way to get home at the end of the night. I agree with what Carál said, and sometimes getting a taxi from the city centre to where I live in South Belfast can cost £40, which is insane. I will mention the lack of investment in arts and culture. In Northern Ireland, we invest £5.07 per head compared with £10.51 in Wales and £21.58 in Ireland. Our arts, music and culture bring vibrancy to our city and communities. Belfast without music, theatre or other art forms is unimaginable. It is a unique selling point, and we have to capitalise on it. There is no point in having an amazing offering of food if it is not safe to go out. The ending violence against women and girls strategy is key. Regeneration and landbanking have to be addressed as well.

Thank you.

632 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 11:53 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

Disagree with this assessment?

Classifications can be challenged. A person reads every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.

Challenge this classification