Report City talk #3: Pick the Night

On an evening full of energy and commitment, The Night Service (nacht@rotterdam.nl) in Library Rotterdam the new Night plan to a room filled with enthusiasts and professionals from Rotterdam's nightlife scene. The evening, led by moderator Jermaine Berkhoudt, highlighted the importance of collaboration, recognition and inclusiveness within night culture.

The key points discussed in the Night Plan, supported by the CFP and SITE surveys, were:

Part 1: Collaboration & Accessibility
– The Night Service cooperates with N8W8 R'dam and Koninklijke Horeca Nederland (KHN) to structurally improve nightlife.
- There will be a campaign to make nightlife more visible and encourage initiatives.

Part 2: Recognition & Visibility
– Night Culture is explicitly recognised as an integral part of cultural policy.
- Work is underway on grant schemes and a Night agenda.

Part 3: Inclusion & Safety
- €1.6 million will be raised within Project grant Culture made available to, among other things, make hde night culture more diverse and accessible.
- More focus on physical accessibility, safe door policies and support through initiatives such as Safe'R Spot.

Part 4: Space for the night
– More locations and flexible hospitality area plans, including unconventional places such as bunkers and overpasses.
- Support entrepreneurs to create new clubs and night spaces.

Challenges & Action Points:
– More transparency around grant applications and regulations.
– Less bureaucracy, more direct support from the municipality.
- Improving night-time public transport, together with RET and NS.
- More collaboration within the sector to share knowledge and resources.

The evening concluded with an inspiring panel discussion that emphasised that the Night Plan opens doors, but that the industry itself must now take action and policymakers must be held to their promises: i.e. less chatter, more action!

Want to read the full report? You can here!