Max HeyraudA second government-commissioned report has strengthened calls for licensing reform in Northern Ireland, identifying outdated regulations as a barrier to growth, innovation and a more diverse night-time economy.
Published in June by the Department for the Economy, the findings examine the challenges facing Northern Ireland’s night-time sector, which supports up to 114,000 jobs and contributes as much as £3.7 billion to the economy.
Licensing reform could also deliver a measurable economic boost. The report points to the potential for Belfast to generate an additional £2.4 million to £4.8 million in gross value added (GVA) by addressing existing restrictions.
The findings add to growing evidence that Northern Ireland’s regulatory framework is struggling to accommodate the needs of a changing night-time economy, including venues and businesses looking to diversify their offerings and develop new cultural programming.
The report’s publication follows other government-commissioned research highlighting the need for change, raising further questions over when the evidence will translate into policy. For an industry that supports thousands of jobs and contributes billions to the economy, the argument for reform is increasingly difficult to ignore.
The findings have been welcomed by advocates for a more vibrant night-time economy, who argue that the barriers are now well documented and that the focus must shift towards implementation.
With two government-commissioned reports now pointing towards the need for reform, attention turns to whether policymakers will act on their own research.
