AQW 11259/22-27

Ms Cara Hunter
Social Democratic and Labour Party
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 02/05/2024
Answered On Date: 17/05/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail (i) the number of nightclubs that have closed in the last ten years; and (ii) any measures he is putting in place to create a vibrant and thriving night-time economy.

Answer:

My department does not hold specific information regarding the number of nightclub closures in the past ten years.

I do understand the importance of a thriving night-time economy to our hospitality sector, our tourism industry and our wider high street economy with approximately 57,000 jobs in the accommodation and food service sectors. Whilst we are constrained by the challenging budget we have available there is still much we can do to assist these vital sectors.

Tourism NI’s destination marketing campaigns support a vibrant night- time economy by bringing in visitors who are likely to visit bars, restaurants etc and provide additional support to this sector throughout the year. This includes a suite of advisory supports to help tourism and hospitality businesses reduce costs, improve productivity and be more sustainable, including Leaner and Greener, and Innovate Tourism.

The level of VAT is also a specific issue for the hospitality sector, and I know that the Finance Minister has repeatedly raised with the Treasury the negative impacts on hospitality of high levels of VAT.