Limerick chosen for Nighttime Advisors pilot initiative

Nighttime Advisors pilot initiative will see Limerick City getting a special advisor recruited under the new scheme.

This is to support the development of a vibrant and diverse night-time economy

By I Love Limerick correspondent Ellie McCarthy

Limerick City will be getting a special advisor recruited under a new pilot scheme, to help develop the night-time economy of the city.

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The Nighttime Advisor Pilot initiative was announced on Tuesday, October 25, by Catherine Martin, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media, alongside the revamp of Ireland’s licencing laws.

The cabinet agreed to the legislation that would allow pubs open from 10.30 am to 12.30 am, seven days a week, and nightclubs would not have to close until 6 am.

This is to support the development of a vibrant and diverse night-time economy across the country.

The creation of these new positions is in direct response to an action in the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce, published last year by the Department.

This programme, which includes the appointment of Nighttime Advisor Pilot initiative advisors in each of the selected towns or cities, aims to help boost the night-time economy and promote an eclectic night-time culture.

Nine new pilot cities and towns have now been selected by an independent review panel, led by the City and County Management Association (CCMA) and supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

The selected pilot locations are Limerick City, Dublin City, Cork City, Galway City, Kilkenny, Drogheda, Sligo, Buncrana and Longford Town. Six pilots were originally agreed upon by the Night-time Economy Taskforce, but Minister Martin approved funding for an additional 3 pilots.

Minister Micheál Martin said, “These new pilot towns and cities will now recruit new Nighttime Economy Advisors who will help drive and support a more sustainable night-time economy in their specific areas. They will work with businesses, communities, venues, residents and artists to create a more vibrant nightlife for all and bring vitality back to our city and town centres in a safe and sustainable way. I would like to thank the CCMA for their role in leading this process and I look forward to getting the Advisors in place and getting started.”

In the Budget 2023, €6 million was secured for the night-time economy, with €2 million of this being allocated towards soundproofing upgrades for venues. This can also help prepare for a transition to later opening hours.

AnnMarie Farrelly, Chair of the CCMA Business, Enterprise, Innovation, Urban/Town Economic Renewal Committee said, “The role of the Night-Time Economy Advisors in the 9 pilot towns and cities will be central to the establishment of a thriving night-life for our communities. They are key to delivering co-ordination at local level to help support, drive and sustain a more vibrant and diverse night-time economy. The learnings from the 9 pilots will then inform the approach to be taken in rolling out plans for the night-time economy across our cities and towns more generally.”

These initiatives are as a direct result of recommendations made by the Night-Time Economy Taskforce which was set up by Minister Micheál Martin to develop an innovative approach to supporting and developing a vibrant, diverse, and sustainable night-time economy in Ireland.

Find out more information about the Night-time Advisors pilot initiative 

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