Twilight Scheme Brings Millions Of Pounds And People To Newcastle City Centre

By Jenny Wotherspoon Location: Newcastle
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NE1 celebrates success on 2nd anniversary of Alive After 5 scheme

Evening shoppers and twilight socialites have helped generate £157m for Newcastle's city centre economy over the past two years.

A scheme launched by NE1 in 2010 - which extended shop opening hours to 8pm and offered free parking after 5pm - has encouraged millions of people to shop and socialise in the evenings.

Since its launch, Alive After Five has brought over two million extra visitors to Eldon Square shopping centre alone.

NE1 says the extra shopping hours now account for 16.8 per cent of footfall in Newcastle city centre each day.

£157m has been spent between 5pm and 7pm over the past 2 years

£157m has been spent between 5pm and 7pm over the past 2 years

On Northumberland Street, footfall has risen by 5.5 per cent each year despite a national average downturn of -3 per cent.

NE1's head of marketing and communications Stephen Patterson said: "It’s about transforming the city into a vibrant, European city, making more of the early evening economy and allowing Newcastle to compete on a level playing field with other UK, European and international cities."

John Lewis managing director Isabella Miller said: "Alive After Five has been good for us because it has given our customers a bigger choice of when to shop and eat in John Lewis." 

A range of Newcastle bars and eateries are offering Alive After Five deals to lure in late night shoppers and increase the number of visitors. 

Over 200 million extra people have visited Eldon Square in the evening

Over 200 million extra people have visited Eldon Square in the evening

City centre restaurant Blackfriars reported an increase in customers since free parking was introduced in the evenings. 

NE1 has also organised events such as Fashion Week and Restaurant Week to help breath life into Newcastle in the evenings.

They say the success of the scheme has led to similar initiatives being considered by other cities including Edinburgh and Birmingham.

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