New plans for city’s night-time economy

MORE than half of women in Cardiff feel unsafe walking after dark as the capital’s leaders look at ways of improving the capital’s night-time economy.

Plans for 24-hour transport, ways to prevent crime and disorder and make the city more welcoming for visitors and residents have been outlined in a new strategy for Cardiff.

Securing a Purple Flag status for the city, similar to the Blue Flag scheme for beaches, will also be discussed by Cardiff council’s cabinet when it considers the Public Service Board (PSB) 2017 to 2022 report.

Cabinet Member for Community and Housing Lynda Thorne said: “Cardiff is undoubtedly a great city to visit and a key part of its attraction is the night-time economy.

“Turnover for the city centre currently stands at around £1.6bn and £400m of that figure – a third – comes from the night-time economy.

“With 40 million people visiting the city centre every year we want to ensure they have a great experience.

“We need to focus on creating a safe and welcoming environment for our residents and visitors.

“Looking forward we want to work with our partners accreditation.

“This is a similar principle to the Green Flag status for parks and beaches and shows that we have reached a standard of excellence.”

Plans to develop night-time transport aims to be completed by April 2020, and an ongoing review of the taxi marshal service aims to be completed by January 2018.

Coun Thorne said: “The night-time economy has improved significantly over recent years but Cardiff cannot be seen purely as a party city.

“We have to aspire to more than this by offering a varied night-time economy which caters for a broad range of ages, offering a mix as good as other major European capitals. This is what this strategy is all about. The night-time economy isn’t just about the city centre and Cardiff Bay either, the options available during the night-time in areas of Canton and City Road are improving.

“We want to continue to grow the night-time economy across the city and I am committed to working with our partners to make this happen.”

The report comes after the council announced plans to improve live music in the city after acquiring a derelict site on Womanby Street to protect Cardiff ’s much-loved live music quarter.

A Music Strategy is now being created and discussions are taking place with to achieve Purple Flag music-industry specialists Sound Diplomacy to develop a plan with local artists, businesses and venues to further improve the live music scene in Cardiff.

The cabinet will debate the PSB report on Thursday.