Too many people are afraid to go out at night - and it's time the issue was addressed, according to the Civic Trust's head of policy and development Paul Davies.
He was speaking at the trust's conference held at the Magic Circle in London, which aimed to examine the predicted effects flexible licensing will have on city centres.
Mr Davies asked how town centres can be more inclusive with regard to night-time activities. The key issues putting older people off at the moment, he suggested, were: a lack of transport, litter and rubbish, fighting and vandalism. On a more positive note, Mr Davies noted there are more products being geared to older people and "there are some green shoots appearing, which deserve to be nurtured".
He asked: "Are we fighting a losing battle?" His reply: "No, but we need more troops, more ammunition and certainly a better battle plan."
Prof Marion Roberts and Dr Adam Eldridge of the Central Cities Institute at the University of Westminster then gave the results of a survey of licensees in five undisclosed "hot spots".
They found that industry representatives resented being "tarred with the same brush" as irresponsible retailers and the trade felt it was blamed for too many of the problems.
The survey also found that waste management was not regarded as a problem, but the lack of public urinals were.
Licensees also revealed sympathy for the police. The problem they faced, however, was building up relationships with local "beat" officers, because they get moved around.
Operators did not agree on what constituted irresponsible drinks promotions, although one licensee's view on the subject was very clear. "If you took a kiddie into a sweet shop and said 'eat what you want', that kiddie would vomit before they came out of that sweet shop. And that's what you're doing with these yobs."
But Prof Roberts commented: "Having walked around the country, there appears to have been a hiking up of the problems surrounding licensing."
BIDs vs ADZs
"We think BIDs (Business Improvement Districts) will give a massive boost to the industry and offer a massive opportunity for us," said John McNamara, chief executive of the BII. "All the other trade associations are behind them.
"The industry is very concerned about alcohol disorder zones (ADZs). We think they are an absolute disaster in terms of not forming local partnerships."
David Henshaw, chief executive of Liverpool City Council, agreed. "All the evidence shows that BIDS are a better option than ADZs," he said. "What I like about BIDs is they will give local control and it pushes power from one side of the economy to the other."
A BID is an area where businesses vote on whether they should contribute to a central improvements fund.
Late leisure options 'limited'
Hannah Mummery, the Civic Trust's policy and research manager, looked at the options that were currently available in town centres in the night-time economy.
In a survey of 100 local authorities, it was noted that hardly any museums and galleries were open after 5pm. "Going out after 11pm usually involves alcohol, which excludes a large sector of society," she told delegates.
She also questioned whether there was the existing expertise to make changes in the evening economy.