The Other 9-to-5 Economy is Thriving

June 19, 2012

Edmonton’s late night entertainment economy creates thousands of jobs and generates millions of dollars in economic output per year according to a new City report.

Responsible Hospitality Edmonton and the City’s Office of the Chief Economist recently completed an assessment of Edmonton’s late-night economy. This included entertainment establishments such as bars, lounges, nightclubs, casinos, music venues, and after-hours clubs that are open past midnight at least 1 day per week.

“By conducting economic analysis we can better understand the economic significance of this sector,” says John Rose, the City’s Chief Economist. “And our analysis shows that Edmonton’s late-night entertainment economy is vibrant and thriving.” 

Key findings in the report – Edmonton’s Late Night Entertainment Economy: Economic Impact Assessment – show that the total economic output generated in Edmonton by this sector was $686 million in 2010, the year for which complete economic data was available.

There were 235 late-night entertainment establishments in Edmonton in 2010 (comprising 23% of all licensed establishments), with a total licensed seating capacity of 69,865 (comprising 27% of all licensed seats). Attendance at late-night establishments that year is estimated at over 20 million. The sector created 5,807 full-time equivalent jobs in 2010, made up of many part-time jobs that benefit students and others not wanting to work full-time.

“We’ve known that the late-night entertainment sector contributes to the social and cultural fabric of the city, and improves the city’s viability and appeal for both local residents as well as tourists,” says Angela Turner, Program Manager of Responsible Hospitality Edmonton (RHE).

“This new economic data now gives us a foundation for further exploring the role the City can play in the ongoing growth, development, and improvement of Edmonton’s
late-night entertainment economy,” says Turner.

Other cities such as Austin, Seattle and New York have also recently done economic impact assessments of their late-night entertainment economies. As in Edmonton, those cities will use the economic data to help them plan, manage and police the night-time economy.

 

For more information:

John Rose

Chief Economist, Financial Services and Utilities

Telephone	780-496-6070
Email	John.Rose@edmonton.ca

Angela Turner

Responsible Hospitality Edmonton

Title	Program Manager
Telephone	780-944-0300