With summer launching a stream of concerts, sporting events, markets and festivals, Northern Ireland looks set for a busy few months with tourists and locals alike making the most of a crowded calendar.
This lively line-up is good news for the night-time economy which since 2021 has entered a new licensing landscape with the introduction of the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland), which in itself is the most significant alcohol licensing reform here in over 25 years. Designed to modernise outdated legislation, the changes aimed to support the hospitality sector and bring Northern Ireland’s licensing practices closer in line with the rest of the UK.
The Act allows licensed premises to apply to the Magistrates Court for late openings until 2am on up to 104 nights per year. Drinking-up time has been extended from 30 minutes to one hour, and longstanding restrictions on Easter and Sunday trading were lifted.
The reforms have been welcomed by many in the hospitality industry as a boost to nightlife, tourism, and the local economy. However, the maximum potential of the night-time economy cannot be fully realised without meaningful investment in late-night public transport.
The current lack of transport options presents a critical barrier to unlocking this potential. Workers, revellers, and tourists alike face limited, and often unsafe and expensive choices when returning home after midnight. Moreover, the fact that hospitality workers often finish shifts around 3am mean they are left with few safe or affordable travel options, raising ongoing concerns about staff welfare and public safety. Some venue owners have chosen not to extend licensing hours, prioritising their staff’s work-life balance and safety.
Despite clear public demand, Belfast is the only UK capital without year-round night services. During the 2024 festive period, over 17,000 people used the temporary late-night transport services, a 50% increase from 2022. Translink has submitted a business case to extend these services permanently, backed by a strong coalition of political and business support. Belfast’s recently appointed ‘Night Czar’ Michael Stewart has urged Stormont leaders to act quickly, calling late-night transport a “vital lifeline” for both workers and businesses.
While the legal framework has progressed, the supporting infrastructure has not kept pace. The changes to licensing laws in Northern Ireland have undoubtedly created opportunities for the hospitality sector but they have also highlighted the need for adequate and reliable late-night transport options to ensure public safety and social inclusion. Northern Ireland’s lack of reliable late-night public transport is a major challenge that needs to be addressed in order to further kindle the city’s rich culture and sustainable growth for years to come.