Hospitality faces a bleak start to 2024. Following years of disruption and pressure, there are serious concerns that many in the business have reached the end of the road. The combination of high prices for energy, goods and staff, with historically low levels of spend at the beginning of the calendar year possibly made worse by the cost of living crisis means we have a business model being pushed to the brink. As a critical part of the evening and night time economy, the first Purple Flag Forum of 2024 discussed how we can incorporate the hospitality sector into our place strategies. Building on ATCM’s contributions to the Hospitality Sector Council, this meeting provided all members with the guidance on supporting the sector.

The conflict between Israel and Gaza has worldwide ramifications. For those involved in the management of towns and cities, dealing with the fallout in community relations is top of the list. Protests and counter-protests in the context of rising antisemitism and islamophobia makes this a difficult for time for all those striving to create inclusive and welcoming environments for all. The emergence of far right elements in society heighten the concerns around community safety. So, how do we respond? This emergency meeting of the Purple Flag network provided a policy update on the conflict and the funding available to support local communities through a challenging time before looking to Northern Ireland, a nation that faced deep divisions within its communities. We will be joined by City Centre Initiative Derry-Londonderry to hear about experiences of providing a safe space for all during a time of division and protest.

Since the end of trading restrictions, there have been concerns around safety at night. Many ATCM members have reported greater instances of anti-social behaviour, or greater fear of anti-social behaviour from town centre users. This Purple Flag Forum explored challenges around ASB and understand how different towns are responding. This meeting is open to all ATCM members, not just Purple Flag accredited destinations. Contributions were delivered by Leitrim County Council and the South West Business Crime Centre.

We have a fiscal crisis. The UK is buckling under the weight of a debt mountain that edged to £2.3 trillion (99.6% of GDP) at the end of the last financial year. To add to our woes, a cost-of-living crisis with soaring inflation means the Government is compelled to support households as a recession takes hold, leading to further pressure on the financial situation. Then, there is September’s misjudged mini-budget. This undermined the credibility of the UK’s fiscal management leading to chaos at the heart of Government and a badly timed increase in the cost of borrowing. This penultimate High Street Conversations of the year reviewed the efforts of the new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt to repair the UK’s fiscal credibility whilst minimising the impact of a recession and supporting households all at the same time. We took an in-depth look at what the Autumn Statement means for short and medium-term investment in town centres with business rates, Levelling Up, public services, Investment Zones and BID funding all on the menu. ATCM members Lambert Smith Hampton and Canterbury BID provided key insight.

The built environment is both one of the perpetrators and victims of climate change. Towns and cities are in a race to undertake significant change to reach net zero and also become resilient to extreme weather events. The journey towards change has already started across numerous sectors. But, what about the night time economy? Relatively little has been said about the role of night time economy in the management towards an environmentally sustainable economy. However, in an age where it is recognised that towns and cities must operate as 24/7 destinations, but activities and transport options might look significantly different after dark, there are questions to be asked about where we start. This Purple Flag Forum meeting discusses how we take the lead in going green after dark.

Pre-pandemic, there was nothing unusual in the evening and night time economy businesses having to navigate a tricky planning and licensing regime. It was seen as just part of the game. Not anymore. The pandemic has been brutal, undermining balance sheets, triggering a staffing and recruitment crisis, and setting in motion a cost of living crisis. There are multiple reports of evening and night time economy businesses failing under the weight of the problems they face. There is a new focus on reshaping local governance for ENTE businesses to help them survive. An unfriendly business regime is no longer tolerable. Work is needed to make services like planning as easy as possible for businesses to access. This work has already begun. In Ireland, the Sale of Alcohol Bill is being delivered to simplify and streamline the licensing laws. There is also work on-going in London, where the GLA is encouraging business-friendly licensing and regulation practices. This Purple Flag Forum meeting explores this evolution, asks if we are on the right path forward and provides ideas for Purple Flag destinations on what can be done to help the ENTE sector overcome a difficult period.

The 2022 Summer School, 'High Streets vs The Industrial Revolution', hears from Julie James MS, Minister for Climate Change, about how and why the Welsh Government has brought together the climate change and high streets agenda.

The 2022 Summer School, 'High Streets vs The Industrial Revolution', hears from Kathy Nothstine, Head of Future Cities at Nesta, on the topic of Double Trouble: Virus and The Revolution.

The 2022 Summer School, 'High Streets vs The Industrial Revolution', hears from Gemma Aitken, Manager at LUSH Cardiff, providing insight into the evolution of business practices during one of the most disruptive eras in generations.