Alan is the Commercial Manager of the Student Union and the operator of the universities bars and nightclub at The Old Fire Station in Bournemouth Town Centre, a 1500 capacity venue.
He has been the Chairman of Bournemouth Town Watch since 2007. In his first year in office, Bournemouth Town Watch was voted the winner of the Morning Advertiser Pubwatch Award for Social Responsibility. In part the award was a result of keeping a strong control of alcohol promotions and ensuring that the scheme maintained its commitment to Town Watch policies. But in equal measure Alan will stand up for the membership if he feels that public bodies exceed their authority. However he is seen to be extremely pragmatic, choosing never to air his views to the media and encouraging stakeholders to discuss issues face to face in mature debate. He has the total respect of the trade and all partners in the night time economy, even when they do not always see eye to eye on a given issue.
He has worked tirelessly for the Town Watch scheme, chairing the Night Time Economy Steering Group which directs the work of the NTE Co-ordinator, and playing a key role in the Town Centre Management Board, which has representatives from business, retail and the Council and directs strategy for the town centre as a whole. Alan used this platform to raise awareness of the benefits and opportunities that the night time economy brings to Bournemouth. More recently Alan was invited to be a member of the NTE Strategy Group, which is chaired by the Executive Director for Environment and Economy, and he participates in a collaborative, challenging and inspirational manner. Alan is also a member of the Town Centre BID board.
Following intense discussions with Councillors and the Police in cementing of future policy for the night time sector, it was Alan who suggested and implemented the ‘Bournemouth by Night’ report, with a joint council and trade agreement to fund the work undertaken by Feria Urbanism. This report has now been adopted by the Council and is the focus for the NTE Strategy Group, and has already impacted on key areas prompting the continuing need for change. This has included the creation of shared space at Horseshoe Common to reduce anti-social behaviour in a crime hotspot, design changes for the night as part of the emerging seafront plan, and the task to include a night element in the new signage changes for Bournemouth.
At the time of the introduction of the first ‘Light Night’, Alan was fully involved, using University connections to create dramatic art and light installations. In 2013 the Light Night was connected to Purple Flag week as a fringe event of the Arts by the Sea Festival, which was completely organised by Alan and using local students to develop, design and install the project within tight time constraints in the first ten days of the new September term.
National Pubwatch Regional Representative Jon Shipp says:
“Alan’s involvement in everything connected to the night time trade and Town Watch is complete; always willing to assist venues and maintain a steady direction for all members. He also embraces the public bodies and encourages strong cooperation and commitment from all parties. He always brings energy, enthusiasm and intellect to the Town Watch meetings, striving to see continued improvement in Bournemouth’s night time economy.”
