Chance of a good night out variable

WHAT'S the measure of a good night out - the amount of alcohol consumed, or is the quality of the meal you had or the people you met at the bar or pub?

- ROB PARSONS

High energy bills, changing working practices and the cost-of-living crisis are putting the nighttime economy in our towns and cities under pressure.

But a new report suggests nightlife is evolving rather than dying in many areas, with fewer pubs and bars but more restaurants.

And policy consultancy Public First says there's huge variations in fortunes around the country, not least in the North, as its new Night Out Index ranks Brighton top based on the number of licensed bars, restaurants and clubs per 10,000 people.

In the last ten years the biggest improvements to nightlife have been in Leeds, Liverpool and Halifax, with Sheffield, Manchester and York also in the top 10 in this measure.