07th August, 2025: Belfast City Centre Night Czar, Michael Stewart, met with Department for Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins yesterday.
Michael raised a number of issues with the Minister, including the need for year-round late night public transport and it’s role in growing the night-time economy as well as helping to End Violence Against Women & Girls. They also discussed the future pedestrianisation of Hill Street in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter. Following the meeting, the Night Czar is hopeful for positive outcomes on some of these issues in the near future.
Earlier this summer, Michael was accompanied by the city’s three BIDs – Belfast One, Linen Quarter & Cathedral Quarter – in handing over an open letter signed by 1002 businesses to the Deputy First Minister, calling for the executive to fund Late Night Transport Provision.
On September 17th, the Night Czar will help launch the findings of new research commissioned by the Department for the Economy, Tourism NI and the three Belfast BIDs, which will put a value on the Night Time Economy in Northern Ireland for the first time, and will also provide an update on his first year in the role. Tickets are available at this link.
