Help shape the future of Greater Manchester’s night-time economy.
Do you go out in Greater Manchester at night? Do you work at night or travel home from work at night? Would you like to travel around Greater Manchester at night but currently don’t?
[Feature image: RJMshoots]
The night-time economy adviser and founder of The Warehouse Project and Parklife, Sacha Lord, wants to know how people like you move around Greater Manchester at night – and what, if anything, prevents you from doing so.
Mr Lord has partnered up with Mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham and Transport for Greater Manchester to create The Transport and Night Time Economy Survey. The results of which, will help him lobby Government for funding needed to improve transport links around the region.
He said:
“The older I get the more frustrated I get. The ‘suits’ don’t seem to understand the importance of the night-time economy.
“When people hear night time, they think of people going out, going for meals. But that’s just a fraction of the people who are travelling at night, 33 per cent are NHS workers.
“How do they get home? We have transport available for people who work nine-to-five, but what about a nurse working a night shift? How do they get home without having to pay a fortune?”
Mr Lord said 27 per cent of people who work full time in hospitality earn less than the living wage, while 53 per cent of those who work part-time in the industry earn less than the living wage.
He said:
“We’re trying to build up a picture of how people travel at night. We want to know what transport methods they use, what they avoid because it’s expensive or they’re scared.
“I was speaking to a 19-year-old woman who works at a city-centre venue and doesn’t finish until 4am. She lives in Cheetham Hill and can’t afford to get a taxi, so she walks. To Cheetham Hill. At 4am. It’s terrifying, I’m a 47-year-old man and I wouldn’t want to walk at 4am.
“I don’t know what the answer is, that’s what the survey is hopefully going to tell us. If I had a magic wand and it wouldn’t cause any issues for anyone I’d have the trams running all night but that won’t work for everyone. Which is why we need as many people as possible to fill out the survey and tell us what they want.
“The idea is that we will then present this to the Government and request the power and the funding to transform the transport network into one that works for people at night. If we are going to build a great city network we need and incredible transport network.
“If you’re out and about between 6pm and 6am – whether that’s for work or pleasure – and whether you travel by private car, taxi, public transport or even cycle, we want to hear from you!”
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said:
“Greater Manchester is fast becoming one of the most vibrant city-regions in the world, but we need a transport system to match.
“This survey will help inform our work to build a London-style transport system in Greater Manchester, and diversify, strengthen and grow our Night Time Economy – ensuring it is open for all our residents and visitors.”
Kate Brown, TfGM’s Director of Corporate Affairs, said:
“We’ve worked closely with Sacha and the GMCA to develop the survey and we look forward to reviewing the outcomes alongside transport operators from across the region.”
To complete the survey and help shape Manchester’s night-time economy click here.
Also published on Medium.