A PLAN to liven up Durban’s “sleepy nightlife” by creating entertainment districts is currently being devised by Durban Tourism.
The move follows on the heels of a recent study undertaken by Roshni Mehta of Durban Tourism, which made the shocking revelation that a mere 20 per cent of tourists to the city were visiting local Durban night spots.
Durban Tourism head, Phillip Sithole, said a conceptualized plan on how to improve Durban’s night life recommended the formation of Entertainment Districts as a way forward.
“Florida and Davenport Roads have been identified as the two areas in which to carry out a pilot study because products are already developed. It is just a matter of rezoning, revitalizing and ensuring a natural emergence of quality products with a guiding hand from the municipality. Should these entertainment districst prove successful, this model will be used in other regions of the City, including townships,” he said.
Sithole said the conceptualized plan looked at adjusting by-laws to suit the residents and businesses in the earmarked areas as well as the look and feel of these areas.
“Safety and security is a big issue which will be addressed to ensure that all international and national visitors as well as local residents of Durban are able to come out at night and feel safe while enjoying all the entertainment these two areas have to offer. The entertainment districts will cater for all age groups,” he said.
CEO of Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Andrew Layman, said it appeared that by comparison with other top tourist destinations in the world, Durban is dead after dark. “This comes from people who have entertained foreign visitors who seek fun at night and find lots of restaurants and similar venues closed. For reasons which are not apparent, although they may relate to by-laws in some ways, we do not have a pavement cafe culture, despite the advantages of our weather. This is a very obvious characteristic of Cape Town, for example where many people sit at bars and cafes in the late afternoon and evening. Here, people seem to go home to the suburbs and are not keen to travel back into town.”
Layman said while the beachfront promenade was great, especially for walking, cycling and enjoying the sound and sight of the sea, it was not a centre of fun after dark, which he believes it should be.
“The Point was expected, I think, to be a trendy residential area where there was a lot of life in the evenings. This has not materialised – compare the Waterfront in Cape Town. We do not have enough tourists to support business ventures that are required, so it is important that if these are to develop, local people must become ‘tourists’ in their own city. The dilemma is a question of what comes first. The enterprises that will provide night life, or the demand for it? I appears that the Durban public cannot be relied on to support the ventures. Our lack of top concerts, for example, is evidence of this,” he said.
At a meeting held in Florida Road last week, the plan was discussed. Councillor Nicole Graham, who attended, said the discussion was still in its introductory phase.
“I made it clear that anything done in these precincts must be completely mindful of the surrounding communities. Keeping noise, traffic disturbances and unruly behaviour to an absolute minimum is key. Improvements to these two roads must also consider the existing cultures and patrons in the area, and retain a character that speaks uniquely of Durban. I think having diverse, vibrant nightlife offerings is so important for tourism, and also improves the quality of life of people living in our city,” she said.
Graham said the buy-in of herself and Councillor Martin Meyer to the city’s plans was completely dependent on ensuring the surrounding community’s interests were put first.
“Residents living around these roads are already under stress from many of the problems they cause, and we need to remedy that,” she said.
Meyer said he supported any initiative to improve the entertainment districts of the city.
“For four years I have called for an entertainment precinct to be declared, with restaurants in Florida Road on the one side of the precinct, and clubs in Stamfordhill on the other side. It is definitely a good step forward to bringing all roleplayers together to look at the challenges faced,” he said.
Meyer said there were just two pitfalls that had to be avoided. “Firstly, this must not just be a talkshop, and secondly, the legitimate concerns of residents in the area must be listened to and addressed. A balance must be struck between the entertainment needs of our city and the rights of residents in the area. But I applaud the relevant city departments for this initiative and look forward to participating in its meetings,” he said.
