Calls for 'Night Time Mayor' to support the evening economy in towns around the county

Moore wants 'Night Time Mayor'

Social Democrats Councillor Ronan Moore has called for Meath County Council to explore the implementation of a role of 'Night-Time Mayor' as soon as is feasible to promote, support and add value to the night-time and evening economy in towns around the county.

Cllr. Moore explained: "The night-time and evening economy - our cafes, restaurants, clubs, pubs, galleries, theatres, exhibitions and all those events that take place from 5 pm until the following morning - is an often overlooked but very important sector in our society. Aside from the cultural benefits it creates for people living in the area, it provides significant employment and revenue for the council.

Night-Time Mayors help create plans for our county to help develop cultural and monetary growth in these sectors; they help struggling venues or small-start up venues; and they foster new ideas, initiatives, exhibitions and shows in the county. This increased revenue not only adds employment and revenue to the county, it in effect pays for the role itself.

“While Covid-19 has impacted hugely on this sector, it is worth noting in some European cities, such as Amsterdam, where this position was first brought in, it was done to arrest the decline in the night-time economy.”

Cllr Moore added: "In proposing this motion I am glad to see the Council's support of this area, particularly in supporting Navan attain a Purple Flag which is a standard of excellence in this sector, and I am aware that the Minister responsible for this area has created a Night-Time Economy Taskforce to explore this area. However I don't think, as a county, we should be waiting on a national task-force before beginning to explore this idea as a matter of urgency".