Lib Dems warn council to back plan to boost Luton's nightlife or risk 'further damage'

A task and finish group, set up to analyse the state of the town’s nightlife and suggest improvements, agreed 15 recommendations in its final report, which is due to be considered by the local authority’s executive tonight (Monday).

The scope for the review was prepared in December 2024, with the outcomes informing an evening offer plan and a wider visitor economy strategy for Luton, according to a report to the committee.

A nighttime economy is defined as a collection of businesses and social activities, operating between 6pm and 6am, estimated to bring in more than £60bn to the UK economy, while attracting investment, said the report.

“The task and finish group arranged extensive consultation to gain views and insight into Luton’s nighttime economy with more than 1,000 responses from residents, stakeholders and businesses, which are open late.

“Its recommendations are focused on practices already in place in Luton, with suggestions of how these can be improved, as well as best practice adopted elsewhere by local authorities with thriving and successful nighttime economies.

“These aspects can be adopted here to attract more visitors to Luton and to dismiss the negative perceived comments of the town being unsafe.”

LBC’s overview and scrutiny committee referred a series of recommendations for urgent action to a meeting of the executive this evening, explained the Liberal Democrats in a statement.

“Scrutiny endorsed the clear plan to revitalise Luton town centre after dark, with the task and finish group’s final report supported by the three main parties on the local authority.

“The review has called for the council to take urgent action to rebuild Luton’s nighttime economy, and to create stronger partnerships with organisations such as Luton business improvement district (BID).

“Town centre catering businesses could be encouraged to use space outside their premises for good quality tables, while accepting responsibility to keep the area free of litter and clean.

“Other key proposals are improving safety through visible enforcement and better lighting, supporting local businesses and reducing barriers to events, better use of public spaces, improving transport and access at night, and allowing free parking from 6pm to 6am.”

Liberal Democrat South councillor Steve Stephens, who chaired the group, said: “A clear plan to revitalise the town centre has been set out by the scrutiny task and finish group.

“Luton has huge potential. The question now is whether the Labour administration will act, or allow further decline. Luton once had a thriving evening economy that brought people together from across our communities and beyond.

“We’ve seen that decline during the past decade, but the discussion of the final report shows we now have a real opportunity to turn things around.

“This is about creating a safe, welcoming and modern town centre that works for everyone, from families and young people to businesses and visitors.”

The executive is being asked to approve all 15 recommendations in the nighttime economy task and finish group’s final report.