Freshers week is the welcome period for new university students, and the toon is renowned for its bustling nightlife and friendly atmosphere.
Council officers have especially assisted students and businesses as thousands arrive to begin their studies.
New figures show Newcastle City Council’s community safety team helped more than 630 people on some of the busiest nights of the period -lasting a fortnight.
The Gate, the Bigg Market, Collingwood Street, Monument, Northumberland Street, and Haymarket were among the areas patrolled by night marshals from the council's community safety team. Their purpose was to provide a reassuring and conspicuous presence while also deterring anti-social behaviour, street drinking, crime, disorder, and vandalism.
Cllr Irim Ali, Newcastle City Council’s Cabinet member for a Resilient City, said: “Newcastle is renowned for its hospitality industry and of course students of our two great universities make a massive contribution to the vibrancy of the city”.
Licensing manager Jonathan Bryce said that the effect of the proactive work by the council, licensees, door staff, promoters and partners ahead of Freshers Week was clear to see.
“Thousands of people turned out to enjoy Newcastle’s night time economy during Freshers Week and I’m delighted to say that, thanks to the pre-planning and advance engagement between the council, hospitality businesses and partners, licenced premises operated well,” he said.
The success and hard-work of Newcastle City Council clearly paid off, and its indispensable role in ensuring the safety of thousands of new students shows just how well the toon lives up to its vibrant and welcoming reputation.
