City's night economy in spotlight

The city has introduced measures to control troublemakers

Work carried out in Brighton to manage nightclubs and bars to keep the city centre safe is being put under the spotlight at a national conference.

Brighton and Hove is one of four areas in the UK awarded Beacon Status by the government for its management of the night-time economy.

Sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe, who has responsibility for licensing, will also be speaking at the event in York.

Brighton councillor Geoffrey Theobald will be chairing the conference.

Council staff will be running a workshop explaining how community events, such as its White Night festival, can provide an alternative to pubs and bars.

The all-night festival, staged for the first time last year, included live bands playing at the Jubilee Library, and is to be repeated this October.

Disperse crowds

Other action which helped Brighton and Hove win Beacon Status includes closing rowdy pubs, issuing red and yellow cards and banning troublemakers from bars.

A Night-Safe radio system links licensed premises and special all-night buses help to disperse crowds quickly.

Licensed premises also stagger closing times, meaning fewer people are on the streets at the same time.

"Brighton and Hove rightly has a reputation for a vibrant and buzzing nightlife and a huge amount of work goes on to make sure the city centre is safe and welcoming," said Mr Theobald.

"We are delighted this work has been recognised and the conference will be a chance to share our experiences with other authorities."

The two-day conference, at the National Railway Museum, starts on Monday.