Reading BID Case Study — proving the value of the night-time economy

Case Study · Public Sector. How Reading BID used Fetch Analytics footfall data and catchment mapping to prove the vitality of its night-time economy and help police, paramedics and street pastors resource the town centre.

The brief — understand who comes, and from how far

Reading BID needed visitor data to understand night-time patterns in and around the town centre — where visitors travel from and how far — and to advise stakeholders and public services on likely visitor numbers.

• No data to demonstrate the vitality of the town's night-time economy.
• Needed visitor evidence to inform local businesses, police and street pastors.

The approach — mapping the night

Fetch analysed anonymised visits between 6pm and 7am and mapped where visitors travelled from, comparing Q1 2025 against Q1 2024 — with catchment maps for evening and night-time visitors.

The results — a clear picture of the night

The report showed a strong, healthy night-time economy throughout the week, proved visitors travel far and wide across the region, and gave local services a sense of potential visitor numbers.

The outcome — evidence that informs and reassures

Alexa Volker, BID Manager at Reading BID: "The Fetch Analytics data produced for our night-time economy is useful for our venues as well as our stakeholders. Visitors come from far and wide, and understanding where they come from and the numbers involved is important to ensure appropriate management and resourcing." The insight also informs Reading's annual Purple Flag accreditation.

Download the full case study (PDF) · Talk to a location data specialist.