The AILG has sent proposals to Minister Catherine Martin, T.D., in support of the Programme for Government objective to nurture a vibrant night-time culture and economy in Ireland’s towns and cities to help drive the recovery from the pandemic.
The Submission paper is available to view HERE
AILG President Cllr Mary Hoade said: “Our town and city centres have been hit hard by the pandemic and we are four square behind local-authority led initiatives to help business and cultural organisations working in the night time space to recover their vitality and viability.”
Cllr Hoade added: ” The work being progressed under the guidance of Minister Martin will reinforce another important initiative in the Programme for Government, namely the Town Centres First Project. If our town and cities are to maximise their potential they need to work for their populations by night as well as by day.”
In its proposals to Minister Martin the AILG highlights how local authorities have well established democratic structures such as the mandate inherent in the mayoralty role which can help co-ordinate the many agencies and resources needed to nurture a night-time economy that is imaginative, diverse, appeals to all demographics while at the same time prioritising safety and security for visitors and for residents of town centres.
Cllr Hoade added: ” Local authorities are currently investing hugely in the renewal of tens of thousands of public lights throughout the country to ensure that they fulfill modern standards of energy efficiency but also, importantly, that they enhance the appeal and security of the public realm at night. This is just one of numerous services provided by our city and county councils which will underpin the broader programme to reimagine the night time economy and cultural offerings in the wake of the pandemic.”
She concluded: “Councillors with their key roles in approving improvements to the public realm and their input to urban renewal strategies are well placed to drive forward the infrastructure and services – and indeed the overall planning vision – which will be the assets on which night time enterprise and culture will thrive.”
ENDS
