Civic Trust calls for later shop opening hours - commercial mortgages

08 November 2006

Investors in the retail sector, such as those with commercial mortgages, would benefit from later shop opening hours, the Civic Trust reports.

Speaking on BBC Radio Five Live's Wake Up To Money programme, following the publication of its Night Vision campaign, Paul Davis of the Civic Trust argued that the needs of many consumers are not being met by a market that predominantly targets people between the ages of 18 and 30.

Mr Davis suggests that a survey conducted by the trust found many people would prefer to see shops open longer, rather than just pubs, bars and clubs, which could help to boost the evening economy in town centres.

"It is slightly quixotic that when most of the population is working nine to five that's when the shops are open and when people have time to go shopping when they come out of work most shops are closed," he remarks.

The Night Vision report follows three years of research by the trust which received funding from the Department for Communities and Local Government in 2003.

Among the Civic Trusts aims for town centres in the evening is improved accessibility, to develop non-alcohol related activity and to increase the number of venues catering for families and the elderly.