Pictured: Acting Chief Executive of ICC Belfast, Waterfront Hall and Ulster Hall, Iain Bell and Night Czar for Belfast and Northern Ireland, Michael Stewart in conversation.
Acting Chief Executive of ICC Belfast, Waterfront Hall and Ulster Hall, Iain Bell, says he would welcome further data-led decision-making on the future of Belfast’s night-time economy.
The head of the city’s three leading entertainment and conferencing venues has expressed a need for factual information on the true value – and therefore the economic opportunity at stake – when decisions affecting Belfast’s night-time economy are made.
The night-time economy is essential for supporting jobs and boosting economic activity in the city. Reflecting its importance, Michael Stewart was recently appointed as Belfast and Northern Ireland’s first Night Czar. He will provide a voice for hospitality, major venues, transport providers, policing, and wider stakeholders, as they collectively seek to address issues and influence legislative change.
Research conducted by Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall (BWUH Ltd) in 2019/20 showed that the two venues alone were the catalyst for an annual £18.1 million injection into Belfast’s night-time economy.
Iain Bell said,
“As custodians of two iconic live entertainment venues in Belfast, Ulster Hall and Waterfront Hall, we play a pivotal role within the city’s night time landscape.
"Music, comedy, arts and sporting events aren’t just central to our cultural fabric, they are an essential driver of economic success for the city and the region."
"By supporting and developing the city’s live entertainment scene we drive footfall to other venues, the knock-on effect of which is sustained revenue for the hospitality sector.
"Our research of patrons of our two venues showed an average spend of £52 per person in bars, restaurants and hotels across the city, as they build their nights out around events at both the Waterfront Hall and Ulster Hall.
“More than half of people surveyed said they booked a restaurant before an event and one in six stayed over at an average cost of £93 per person per night (at 2019/20 rates).
"We take great pride in providing a programme of live entertainment events that encourages people to come and enjoy the great hospitality Belfast has to offer".
Iain Bell would welcome additional research to allow a clear evaluation of economic value for comparison against the cost of fixing the challenges dogging the city’s late night economy.
Mr Bell continued,
"While our economic impact figures from 2019/20 tell a compelling story, we would like to see this research brought up to date, taking into account the increased cost of living and inflationary factors.
“In the face of challenging public spending decisions, there are undeniably tough choices required to ensure the best use of public money. What is absolutely key to informed decision-making is having data that is up to date.
“We know from our 2019/20 research that the nighttime economy supports jobs, supports sustainability in the hospitality sector, and strengthens economic value.
“Hospitality Ulster research says that £58 of every £100 spent in hospitality in Northern Ireland goes straight back into the local economy: it’s circular. However, the additional spend flowing out of arts and entertainment events risks being significantly hampered if we don’t get the full wrap-around services right.
"Belfast has a rich and colourful night-time offering and there’s a great deal of additional value waiting to be unlocked."
"It’s vital we get this right, and we can only do that with hard facts to understand the true value of the opportunity that’s at stake."
