A ghost town after dark how can Belfast create a nightlife that will attract people to to the city.

The nightlife in London and Dublin are the envy of the people of Belfast where the city closes down at 11pm on a Saturday night. Would be revellers have little choice in venues and there is nowhere to go during the week.

Eleven o'clock that’s it the cinemas, the pubs, that’s it, Northern Ireland is finished.

Three young women really look forward to Saturday night, but everything is over by midnight. Even if they could go elsewhere there are no late buses and a car is a must.

We would like a better nightlife, more discos during the week and better facilities as regards buses.

Secretary of State Roy Mason has set up a working party to see what can be done to restore confidence in the city after dark. A committee headed by Lord Melchett has been tasked with improving Belfast’s social life. Lord Melchett praises the investment in the arts in Belfast but thinks the working party can help stimulate a social scene for the city.

Some improvements are already visible as the top names in show business are returning to Belfast. The Queens Arts Festival (QAF) is also an undoubted success. QAF director Michael Barnes is on the Melchett Committee. He is positive about the arts in Belfast and how the festival is viewed abroad,

No artist who’s ever been to Belfast for the festival has ever been other than delighted to come again.

Regards nightlife he realises London and Dublin have more to offer,

Belfast is perhaps rather gloomy in comparison.

With the lack of city centre entertainment, local clubs like St Matthew’s Sports and Recreation Club in the Short Strand in Belfast are filling the gap. The refurbished club offers social activities seven nights a week.

The risks involved in a Saturday night out in Belfast often see people going elsewhere for their entertainment. Some take a weekend in Dublin or Donegal, others have a night out in Bangor.

Trevor Kane a major shareholder of the Coachman’s Tavern in Dundalk has done well out of this trend to go outside Belfast city for a social life. The venue provides entertainment six nights a week and the business can not cope with the numbers attending.

Another member of the Melchett committee Trevor Kane is critical of the ambience in Belfast city centre after dark. This criticism is shared by George Jones of the popular group Clubsound. Belfast’s dim lighting and security barriers may support businesses and traders, but they do nothing to create a nightlife.

Established in October 1978, the Melchett committee has four months to present its initial ideas on how to make Belfast a thriving centre of social activity.

A 'Newsround’ report broadcast on 10 December 1978. The reporter is John Deering. The presenter is Peter McNiff.