Double success for team that support night time economy forum

Article date: 16 December 2025

The St Helens Town Centre Night Time Economy Forum, which brings together premises managers, police and other partners together regularly to talk about key issues affecting the sector, has been highlighted as a model of good practice for other areas to copy.

It features as part of The Partnership Charter for the Night Time Economy, a national charter created by the Institute of Licensing that focuses on ways to support high quality night time economy growth across the country.

Councillor Trisha Long, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, said: "This is a real recognition of the work that we have been doing here for a number of years to build in greater collaboration to help us improve our night time economy offer. To have this work acknowledged on a national level shows the innovative approach our officers are taking to meet the challenges that this sector can bring and the success those efforts have had."

There was also recognition for Lorraine Simpson, Team Manager of Licensing Services at the council who won the Jeremy Allen Award, which is an annual award for excellence in the UK licensing field, co-sponsored by solicitors Poppleston Allen and the Institute of Licensing, that recognises a person who has made a positive contribution to the licensing sector and wider community.

Judges praised her transformative leadership and drive on a number of projects including the St Helens Night Time Economy Forum which helped support the success in securing Purple Flag status showing commitment to building a thriving night time economy; driving the Safe Nights, Great Places and Know Your Ride campaigns promoting the services; and leading on innovative safety measures such as the introduction of taxi marshals, safe home cards for vulnerable individuals and much more.

Jonathan Smith, Partner at Poppleston Allen, said: "Lorraine's achievements in St Helens stand out as a model of what licensing can deliver when partnership and vision come together. From establishing the Night Time Economy Forum and leading the 'Safe Nights, Great Places' and 'Know Your Ride' campaigns to introducing innovative safety measures like taxi marshals and 'Safe Home' cards, Lorraine has shown how licensing can transform communities.

"Her leadership has revitalised the town centre night time economy, strengthened public trust, and set a benchmark for best practice across the sector."

Lorraine Simpson said: "It is an incredible honour to be recognised by my peers and I'm very grateful for the support that I've received from the wider industry with this award. The work that our whole Licensing Team do, supported by a number of partners across the borough, have meant that together we've been able to deliver these projects that are leading the way nationally and I want to thank everyone who has supported myself and the team to make this possible."