Case Study - Lincoln Business Improvement Group

Evening manager helps make nightlife safer

The night-time economy is big business for any city, but it can also bring with it anti-social behaviour, crime and high cost. Lincoln has devised a creative approach to tackling these issues, taking on a specialist as Evening Economy Manager.

Shaun Barnett took up the post 18 months ago, with the remit of linking everyone involved in the night-time economy, building bridges between the police, city council and businesses that operate between 5pm and 5am, including taxi firms, licensees, restaurants, clubs and takeaways.

Shaun’s employer is Lincoln Business Improvement Group (Lincoln BIG), who recognised that they needed someone with hands-on experience rather than a civil servant. The City Centre Partnership has been involved in evening economy management issues since 1998, and the employment of an Evening Economy Manager proposed something that nobody else had done before.

Shaun worked in night club management for 20 years before taking on this role and was used to the mix of day and night, office- and street-based work. He also had contacts in the sector – something that made getting people on board an easier task.

Creating a Business Improvement District

The most difficult aspect of the job was in getting recognition from partner agencies.

"Meetings are held in the back of a pub, which initially was an issue for some partner agencies, particularly with regards to the credibility of the scheme" - Shaun

With perseverance, though, the project secured funding from local businesses and the council to become Lincoln Business Improvement District, a collaboration of businesses and organisations which work together on initiatives that improve the location where they trade or do business.

More precisely this meant the businesses agreed to pay an additional business tax, which equates to one per cent of their rateable value.

"There is a sense amongst the evening economy that we are moving forward and the businesses are now being seen as professionally run operations that contribute to the city centre offer as a whole. The professional status of Managers in the evening economy is also now recognised by partner agencies" - Shaun

Shaun believes that the best way to communicate is face-to-face. He prefers to go out to speak to partners rather than advertising or promoting the scheme impersonally through posters. It’s an approach that also saves money on print and publicity costs.

Shaun coordinates the Safe in the City initiative, a strategic partnership involving senior police officers, beat level officers, night club managers and licensing agents, who work together towards shared goals.

Taxi marshal scheme

One of his other responsibilities is working with Lincoln’s taxi companies in a new taxi marshal scheme. The marshals, who started work in autumn 2006, are a cross between security and support staff as their job is to help customers get home safely and without bother.

The scheme is aimed at people who might behave anti-socially, and also at vulnerable people who need to get a taxi home. The marshals have a reassuring effect and reduce the number of disturbances at the taxi offices.

Outside each taxi station, a uniformed marshal with a clipboard gives waiting times to people queuing. It’s a practical tactic that stops queue-jumping and the violence that can sometimes follow.

CCTV is a supporting tool, allowing businesses, Police and CCTV operators to communicate issues quickly and effectively across their own Radio Link system.

A formal Pubwatch scheme

Shaun is also involved in Lincoln’s Pubwatch scheme, helping agencies work together to prevent drink-related problems. He also instituted a formal arrangement with the council’s anti-social behaviour team.

Pub staff and owners share details with the Pubwatch team about any pub-goers who cause problems. The team provides licensees with pictures of the blacklisted people, and the police only get involved if necessary.

The anti-social behaviour team sends out formal warning letters to trouble-makers – and it works. An initial survey showed that out of 17 people behaving anti-socially and receiving a warning letter, 12 continued to turn up at the premises. After a third letter, only one person persisted. People now know that if they are arrested and charged at that stage, the consequences can be severe.

Shaun believes the scheme wasn’t taken seriously before, and that by making the system tough and clear, they have succeeded where other Pubwatch initiatives have failed.

He is now hoping to balance deterrent with reward – initiating the Best Bar One scheme to recognise the best evening economy businesses.

Lincoln BIG

Lincoln BIG aims to create a business-led programme of investment throughout Lincoln city centre, raising the quality of experience for businesses, residents and visitors. It also aims to raise the profile of the city as a historic city destination.

It believes that these aims will be achieved by improving street management, safety and access; by better managing the evening economy; developing marketing and events; and by engaging the widest involvement of the business community. Lincoln BIG aims to bring new initiatives to the city centre and enhance local authority services, not replace them.

For more information, please contact Shaun Barnett on shaun.Barnett@lincolnbig.co.uk