NEW figures show a massive decline in the number of revellers going out in Glasgow, prompting authorities to commission a health check on the city's night-time economy.
Figures compiled by a council-owned agency show a drop of 35% in key parts of the city centre in the run-up to Christmas compared with the same time last year.
Another part of the city centre recorded a year-on-year drop of 26%, a combined reduction in pre-Christmas pub goers and clubbers of nearly 22,000 people.
But amid concerns over the volatility of the figures, which count those using late-night taxis, and for the well-being of the trade, the first forensic study into footfall, spend and customer profile of the night economy is being commissioned.
At a meeting last week of the city's Licensing Forum, a body which advises the local authority on alcohol and licensing-related matters, it was agreed to a more rigorous survey into the trade would be completed.
Glasgow Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stuart Patrick said: "We have limited understanding of how well different aspects of the economy are doing or of the trends that are affecting demand for bars, restaurants, music venues, cinemas or nightclubs.
"The more we know about its operation, the better decisions will be that affect its success."
The city's pubs, clubs, restaurants and music venues have become an important part of Glasgow culture and also contribute millions to the economy.
The Herald spoke with several figures in the trade in recent days, where a raft of issues were raised.
A number of operators have said the success of the Hydro Arena at the SECC has pulled some custom away from the city centre towards the Finnieston area, while a more mature demographic visiting restaurants or establishments serving food and heading home early has also been cited.
The biggest dip in the city centre is within the under-24 bracket, normally those who attend nightclubs, while concerns have also been raised that the tragic death of a teenager clubber recently could see police increase demands for over-21 admission policies.
The issue of cheap supermarket alcohol and house parties has been raised as a potential issue, along with complaints about public transport and even the weather.
Sources also insist that any survey of footfall and turnover, similar to that well-established within the retail sector, would require to be clearly independent given mutual suspicions and well-known rivalries within the sector.
A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: "The figures from the taxi ranks within the Nitezones provide a snapshot of how many people are in the city centre and can never be relied upon for the full picture.
"Numbers have gone up as well as down in recent years and sometimes these fluctuations can reflect little more than the weather at a particular time.
"However, a more robust approach to understanding the footfall in the city is a sensible measure and it is possible something can be in place in the near future."
Donald MacLeod, chairman of the Licensing Forum and head of leisure firm CPL, which runs several high-profile Glasgow venues, said: "A drop in December's nighttime footfall figures came as quite a surprise and should be a cause for concern.
"I have asked the members of forum to help find ways of independently assessing the footfall, including numbers of those visiting clubs, pubs and restaurants in order that we can then have a legitimate economic impact study carried out which can then be used to help determine what resources are needed to halt the decline."
Patrick Browne, of the Scottish Beer and Pub Association, which represents thousands of pubs nationally, added: "It's time that the importance of the night-time economy was better recognised and valued given that it contributes tens of millions of pounds to Scotland's economy and supports thousands of jobs."
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