University of Liverpool works on to bring on a campaign designed to help local music venues
The University of Liverpool is working in partnership with the Liverpool City Region Music Board on a campaign designed to help local music venues.
Following consultation events and discussions with music venues across the City Region, the LCR Music Board is working with the University to build the case to bring back night buses running between midnight and 6am.
Most venue representatives agreed that limited late night transport was contributing to reduced footfall and ticket sales, as well as their struggles to recruit and retain evening staff who struggle to get home after their shift.
During the Covid-19 lockdown late night bus route across the City Region such as the N86 and the Tunnel Bus were discontinued and have not since been reinstated.
The LCR Music Board, together with the University of Liverpool and Liverpool Nightlife CIC are now conducting a survey on late night buses and will use the results to build a business case to take to the Combined Authority and bus companies.
The research is being conducted cross-Faculty with the University’s Department of Music the Civic Data Co-operative and the Centre for Educational Development and Support all involved.
Lecturer in our Department of Music and Liverpool City Region Music Board Member, Dr Mathew Flynn, said: “There is a very clear consensus from our discussions with venues so far that footfall would be increased if people knew they had a reliable public transport service out of the city centre at night.
“We need to benefit from that post Eurovision glow and establish a good night time transport network for visitors and local residents to enjoy our fantastic night-time economy.
“We already have the insight and support from venues, and this survey will now help us better understand the needs of the end users; like the gig-goers, and venue staff.”
Dr Michael Hunman said: “Through the survey we ensure that the voices of the public are heard whether they are regular party goers, the occasional city visitor, or the essential staff working in the night-time industry. All of these groups have different needs and priorities, which can be served in different ways by the potential reinstatement of the night bus services.”