Businesses urged to stay open later in the City

Cafes, art galleries, museums and retailers in the City are being urged to extend their trading hours in a new plan by Lord Mayor Clover Moore.

Council staff are working on a late night economy policy that does not run entirely on alcohol, pushing for a “thriving and diverse” nightlife in the CBD.

Ms Moore said the campaign is intended to curb alcohol-fuelled violence and that it is time for Sydney to catch up to the rest of the world.

“Having more options creates a safer and more balanced late night economy attracting a wider range of people into the city centre,” she said.

But businesses and institutions will bear the costs of staying open later.

Retailers are already free to determine their own trading hours according to the Australian Retailers Association.

A CBD retail manager, who wished to remain anonymous, said extending trading hours would have to be viable in order for it to work.

“There is no use of having extending trading hours if there are no customers,” he said.

“But if cafes and galleries begin to trade longer, then there may be a market for it. Sydney really does need to catch up to the rest of the world, closing shops at 5pm is just ridiculous and boring, but staying open later will certainly not curb alcohol-fuelled violence.”

Ms Moore said that in coming weeks the City will also implement measures in an attempt to improve safety for people out late at night.

Council is employing four Precinct Ambassadors for a 12- week trail on Friday and Saturday nights to act as concierges, providing information and assistance to visitors on George Street south, a city of Sydney spokesperson told City News.

Other measures include improvements to the Bayswater Road taxi rank in Kings Cross and a trial of new signage to transport and public toilets in the City.