PRESS RELEASE

3 June 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE USE

Contact: Michael Jones

Tele: 07944 578872

Email: michaeljones4southgate@gmail.com

Labour county councillors call on council to do more to promote West Sussex’s night time economy

Labour councillors are calling on the county council and Tory leader Louise Goldsmith to take more seriously the issues facing the night time economy in towns across the West Sussex area.

Labour has tabled a motion calling on the county council to undertake a detailed consideration of the issues by setting up an officer working-group with partners from the Districts and Boroughs Councils, the food and drink industry and those with expertise in events to explore the benefits that an enhanced night-time economy could deliver across the County.

The motion is being debated at the next meeting of the full council which will be held on Friday 7th June 2019.

The whole issue was raised at a recent meeting of the Environment Communities and Fire Select Committee, when the issue of the county council’s Economic Growth Plan 2018-2023 was being considered.  At that meeting Labour Councillor Michael Jones (Southgate and Gossops Green) challenged the draft strategy put forward by Tory Leader of the council Louise Goldsmith (Chichester West), stating:

“I am, of course, very supportive of the council’s efforts to support the local economy, but there does appear to be quite a significant omission to this plan at the moment.

“I have to ask, what is the county council planning to do to stimulate our towns’ night-time economy?  What about our publicans, restaurant owners, clubs and food providers – don’t they deserve our support too?  They also pay their business rates.

“I’m always taken aback when I drive through towns like Chichester, Bognor Regis and Littlehampton and I see so many pubs closed or converted into a Tesco Express or some such.

“We have university towns in this county which are incredibly quiet in the evenings, for the student populations we have.  It just seems to me something isn’t right, and I can’t believe it is because the union bar is that much cheaper!

“Crawley is not a traditional student town, and it is my observation that footfall has fallen in the evenings, compared to ten years ago and it would be my observation in Bognor Regis and Chichester too in that same period.  I believe many more licenced premises would still be open too, if that were not the case across the county.

“I believe we need a move to a new approach offering leisure, food, events – a greater, much more attractive and vibrant mix of uses; enabling the character and history of a place to shine through; perhaps targeting families to come in to shop, eat and participate on events – markets, showcases, outdoor theatre and entertainment.  

“We need something that gives people a reason not just to stay at home and come into our towns, and I think if this council had some vision on this then we could be leading the way.”

Speaking before the meeting where the debate will be held, Cllr Jones added: 

“I am pleased that Labour councillors have raised this because it is clear from the initial response from the county council that they don’t appear to appeciate their potential role at all and appear almost dismissive about it.  Hopefully we can raise awareness and hope other councillors are supportive.

“This is certainly not just about alcohol-related activities, although that in itself is not to be ignored, but in the spring and summer months we have the weather to have much more of a Mediterranean café culture, where the shops stay open because people are enjoying events and the trade is there to justify it.

“While one hears a lot of lip service for this ideal, you don’t see as much accompanying it as firm action.  We know the council says it wants lots of visitors to come and enjoy the ‘West Sussex experience’, but then they look blankly when we suggest what visitors can do to enjoy themselves in the evening is probably a substantial factor in what people are looking for when they visit somewhere in their leisure time.

“All the while, we’re missing an opportunity and it is the economy of West Sussex that is losing out.  If people are voting with their feet and going to London, Brighton or Portsmouth depending on where they live in the county, we’re not meeting that challenge.  And that’s what this motion is all about.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:.

1. For more information please contact Michael Jones on 07944 578872 or email michaeljones4southgate@gmail.com

2. The wording for the Labour motion submitted to West Sussex County Council is reproduced below.

LABOUR GROUP – NOTICE OF MOTION ON THE NIGHT-TIME ECONOMY JUNE 2019 

This Council is aware that High Streets across West Sussex are struggling, with many well-known retail stores disappearing from our towns at an alarming rate.

Whilst proposals to enhance the West Sussex experience are evident in the Economic Growth Plan 2018-2023, this Council considers that the night-time economy has an important role to play in diversifying our town and city centres, ensuring that they are inclusive, diverse, safe and accessible – for all residents and visitors, young and old.

This Council acknowledges that the night-time economy is the fifth largest industry in the UK and considers that West Sussex is not currently maximising the opportunities that exist which could transform our high streets and towns, particularly those with a University presence, which could ultimately encourage more young people to study, live and work in the County, as well as providing more opportunities for existing residents to enjoy themselves locally. 

This Council therefore calls on the Leader to reflect the importance of the night time economy within West Sussex by setting up an officer working-group with partners from the Districts and Boroughs Councils, the food and drink industry and those with expertise in events to explore the benefits that an enhanced night-time economy could deliver across the County and report its findings to the Environment, Communities and Fire Select Committee with an interim report on progress in six months, and a final report with conclusions and recommendations in 12 months’ time.