MAKE Night-time Cost Benefit Analysis Framework

Challenging negative after dark stereotypes needs facts 

In 2008 we were working on the creation of Night-Mix, our concept to measure the value and benefits of a night-time economy, at neighbourhood, city or the country scale. The following year, having achieved this - in the first NightMix Index, we then returned to think about the costs of running towns and cities at night.  

Whilst we were frustrated that the evening and night-time economy (ENTE) was only ever presented in terms of the costs to society, it still seemed important to measure the costs but in a way that was more comprehensive and rigorous than had been done before. That’s when we came up with the MAKE Night-time Cost Benefit Analysis Framework (snappy title!)

Quantifying the night-time economy, line by line 

The idea was to bring together the benefits of our NightMix Index - such as understanding sector turnover, firm growth, employment, but also identify all the costs that might be associated with an ENTE such as health, police, justice, transport and municipal costs like cleansing and lighting (as well as income – for example, from night-time parking, fees at council sports centres after 6pm or surpluses in departments such as licensing). 

We first used the MAKE Night-time Cost Benefit Analysis Framework in Sydney, but have since deployed it in many other locations, improving and refining it as we have understood much more about the limitations of the data available. Indeed, this is where our experience makes the difference: being able to access data, knowing the reliability of all the relevant data sets and being able to make calls about the data sensitivity. Combined with our own work on the proportion of sectors that are ‘core’ and ‘non-core’ ENTE and how to model this with a reasonable level of accuracy.   

A tool for all 33 London boroughs… 

We have most recently used it in our work with partners Hatch Regeneris for the Mayor of London’s Later Opening London study. In this case it is part of building a Framework for boroughs wanting to measure the costs and benefits of opening their town centres later. 

We are always keen to work with other municipalities to deploy the MAKE Night-time Cost Benefit Analysis Framework so that we can establish baselines, plans for cost savings and growth targets for sustainable ENTE development that can be incorporated into their wider regeneration, planning and growth strategies.

If you are thinking now might be a good time to start measuring the costs and benefits of your ENTE or a strategy for later opening…