Leeds visit helps set out plan for transforming Luton's nightlife

Providing visible neighbourhood enforcement teams in the town centre after 10pm is one of the public safety aspects observed during the trip to Yorkshire.

The borough council’s overview and scrutiny board set up a task and finish group to analyse and examine ways of transforming Luton’s nightlife. Its work has taken into account several factors that are considered to generally impact the success of nighttime economies.

These were:

• a vision for Luton’s evening offer that meets the needs of residents and attracts visitors;
• the diversity of the local offer, including opening hours;
• an appropriate infrastructure covering premises and open spaces;
• transport links and walkability;
• public safety;
• marketing and changing perceptions about the local offer;
• and nighttime economy place management and leadership.

The Leeds visit highlighted various measures in place to ensure safety at night, according to the task and finish group’s final report.

There was a Leeds Safer Partnership night safe scheme, delivered jointly by the local authority and partners, such as the BID and shopping centre, said the report. “A ‘walksafe Leeds’ app enables visitors to safely plan for a night out.

“The app, which was produced by a third party with Leeds branding and city centre mapping, allowed locations to be shared with family and friends to track movements. Nearby local police and enforcement officers, along with safe hotspots, could also be found using the app.

“An ‘Ask Angela’ scheme operates in pubs, clubs and other venues in central Leeds, with all staff trained to help vulnerable people to signal for assistance. Street marshals are in operation in Leeds city centre on Friday and Saturday nights from 9pm to 3am.

“A night safe bus operates on Friday and Saturday evenings on major event dates, providing non-judgemental safe space for the vulnerable at risk of predatory behaviour.”

Similar pastors or street marshals had been active in Luton town centre in the past, while an SOS bus had been operational on Friday and Saturday nights, explained the report.

“Given these measures were in use in Leeds and proved effective, the reinstatement of such patrols to improve town centre safety was recommended. Talks are being held with the Safer Luton Partnership to recommission and resource those ideas.”

The task and finish group has assessed the input of many organisations and individuals through completed surveys, written submissions, meetings, in-person events and visits, during the last 12 months.

The earlier draft final report suggested: “By focusing on safety, infrastructure, business support and community engagement, Luton can transform its nightlife sector into a vibrant hub of activity.

“But it should be recognised that nighttime behaviours and interests have changed. It’s necessary to ensure that the town centre offer meets those new needs, if a greater public presence is to be encouraged.

“Innovative ways of bringing vibrancy back to the town centre should be explored, such as a flower festival, the return of the French farmers’ market and a German Christmas market.

“Town centre activities celebrating a range of religious, cultural and other festivals should be encouraged and visitors to those events might remain and enjoy an improved nightlife experience.”