When Parliament gets round to debating John Prescott's new White Paper on Inner City regeneration, I hope someone will take the time to acknowledge the role already played by the hospitality and entertainment industry in bringing life back to town and city centres.
These days it is too easy, and increasingly fashionable, to single out the licensed trade as the villains of the late-night peace. With licensing reform, the Government appears more concerned with beating the pub and bar trade into line than offering a business partnership. I trust it under-estimates the industry's resolve and professionalism.
Then there is Westminster City Council, that bastion of the "Rabid Right" which now appears to be taking a divide-and-rule approach to its licensing policy, telling the restaurant sector that they are OK really and that the real culprits are those nasty pubs and bars.
The truth is that town centres such as Croydon and Reading have been transformed in recent years by investment from the food and drink industry. Croydon used to be a ghost town at night û and not a very pleasant one at that û before the likes of Wetherspoon's opened up the day-time as well as night-time leisure economy.
The industry should also be given credit for the town centre partnerships in towns like Wolverhampton that make the evening economy work for the enjoyment of a large section of the tax-paying community.
The sad truth with this Government is that you now have to shout to be heard, which is a poor indictment for what wanted to be seen as The Thinking Man's Administration.
The industry now simply has to get stuck in û or to use a more "new politics" term, "engaged".
That means a constructive assault across the political landscape û from Westminster to local councils. And local authorities are perhaps the most important level for "engagement". Forget preferences over liquor licensing control, this is about planning, the environment and most importantly a local voice.
Which brings us back to Westminster. The stark fact that this maverick authority needs to be made aware of is that the entertainment focus of London could very easily move out of its jurisdiction
- and south of the River.
The South Bank, as a recent report demonstrated, is fast becoming the pivot for the capital û with uninterrupted walkways, the London Eye, new restaurants and new budget-chain hotels opening.
If the big groups choose to go south, Westminster really will be left with the dross, Is that what it wants. Or is it time for some constructive dialogue?
These days it is too easy, and increasingly fashionable, to single out the licensed trade as the villains of the late-night peace. With licensing reform, the Government appears more concerned with beating the pub and bar trade into line than offering a business partnership. I trust it under-estimates the industry's resolve and professionalism.
Then there is Westminster City Council, that bastion of the "Rabid Right" which now appears to be taking a divide-and-rule approach to its licensing policy, telling the restaurant sector that they are OK really and that the real culprits are those nasty pubs and bars.
The truth is that town centres such as Croydon and Reading have been transformed in recent years by investment from the food and drink industry. Croydon used to be a ghost town at night û and not a very pleasant one at that û before the likes of Wetherspoon's opened up the day-time as well as night-time leisure economy.
The industry should also be given credit for the town centre partnerships in towns like Wolverhampton that make the evening economy work for the enjoyment of a large section of the tax-paying community.
The sad truth with this Government is that you now have to shout to be heard, which is a poor indictment for what wanted to be seen as The Thinking Man's Administration.
The industry now simply has to get stuck in û or to use a more "new politics" term, "engaged".
That means a constructive assault across the political landscape û from Westminster to local councils. And local authorities are perhaps the most important level for "engagement". Forget preferences over liquor licensing control, this is about planning, the environment and most importantly a local voice.
Which brings us back to Westminster. The stark fact that this maverick authority needs to be made aware of is that the entertainment focus of London could very easily move out of its jurisdiction
- and south of the River.
The South Bank, as a recent report demonstrated, is fast becoming the pivot for the capital û with uninterrupted walkways, the London Eye, new restaurants and new budget-chain hotels opening.
If the big groups choose to go south, Westminster really will be left with the dross, Is that what it wants. Or is it time for some constructive dialogue?
