Town’s night-time economy revives after Covid

More than 2,000 night-time businesses had closed since the pandemic

A high street is reviving its night-time economy as businesses recover from the impacts of the pandemic.

Since the coronavirus lockdowns of 2020 and 2021, the West and East Midlands have seen nearly 2,000 late-night businesses close, according to the Night Time Industries Association.

It also comes at a time of increased awareness about drink spiking and the pressures of the cost of living.

But Stafford business owner Jack Taylor-Walker, who owns two bars in the town and is taking over a former nightclub, said the town's night-time economy was “on its way back”.

And street pastors have also said the nightlife in the Staffordshire town is safe, as people gear up for festive get togethers.

Jack Taylor-Walker said the night-time economy was “on its way back”

Mr Taylor-Walker said: “We're a young business. We've only been around about five years and we have been able to expand to where we are now. We’ve got multiple locations across the county as well. We're not just Stafford. We have branched out.”

He said he was “excited” about his new venue.

“It's an old massive chain and we've taken it. We've just started ripping out and we're ready for a couple of weeks' time to open," he added.

“The economy, the nightlife economy, and the safety is on its way back.”

He said many people “moaned” about market towns because they were not city centres, but he said: “Come and give us a try.”

Street pastors said the nightlife in Stafford was regarded as quite safe

Street pastor Jeanne Morris said a team of pastors was on duty in Stafford from about 22:30 GMT, when they “start walking round the town”.

“Then, as the night progresses, we might meet people who have become vulnerable during the night out and so we have all kinds of things in our rucksacks," she said.

The team parks on Bridge Street, she added, which was a good place because “every venue just about can see it”

“The nightlife in Stafford is regarded as quite safe compared with a lot of the towns and cities around and the rest of Staffordshire," Ms Morris said.