Chelmsford After Hours helps the city centre thrive after dark.
We champion nights out, back local venues and organisers, and help fund the safety work behind a welcoming night in Chelmsford.
ABOUT AFTER HOURS
BACKING BETTER
NIGHTS OUT
Making Chelmsford safer, more welcoming and more vibrant after dark.
Whether you are meeting friends for dinner, enjoying live music, seeing a show or heading out for the evening, After Hours helps you make the most of the city after dark.
Led by Chelmsford For You, After Hours brings together businesses and local partners to support a safer, more vibrant evening and night-time economy. We promote what’s on, champion safety initiatives and encourage responsible nights out, helping everyone enjoy Chelmsford with confidence.
DISCOVER
WHAT’S ON AFTER HOURS
Chelmsford after dark has more than one rhythm. Find live music, comedy, culture, screenings, games, all-ages events and inclusive nights out.
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Live & DJ
Live music, DJ sets and club nights, from intimate gigs to late-night dance floors.
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Culture
Screenings, comedy, theatre, cathedral events and live broadcasts from venues across the city centre.
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Food & Drink
Restaurants, bars and evening dining, from relaxed meals to drinks before or after an event.
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Games & Group Nights
Competitive games and group nights out, from axe throwing and augmented reality darts to karaoke.
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Under 18 & All Ages
Teen-friendly and all-ages events, from ice discos to live music and family-friendly evenings.
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LGBTQ+
Inclusive nights out, from drag bingo and cabaret to queer-friendly events across Chelmsford.
Ready to plan your next night out? Browse Chelmsford’s evening listings and find something worth staying out for.
WHAT CHELMSFORD FOR YOU DOES
SUPPORTING A SAFER, STRONGER NIGHT-TIME ECONOMY
After Hours brings together businesses and partners to help create a safer, more vibrant evening and night-time economy for everyone in Chelmsford.
Created by Chelmsford For You, the city-centre Business Improvement District, it champions Chelmsford after dark, supports the people and places shaping the city’s night-time offer and helps coordinate the partnerships behind it.
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Promote Chelmsford after dark
We champion Chelmsford’s nightlife, profile local venues and help bring more visitors in.
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Support organisers
We help promoters, venues and community groups bring more events and nights to Chelmsford.
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Support safer nights out
We help fund and coordinate the city-centre safety network, supporting safer nights out for everyone.
A PURPLE FLAG CITY
RECOGNISED FOR SAFER NIGHTS OUT
Purple Flag recognises places with safe, varied and well-managed evening and night-time economies. Chelmsford has held Purple Flag status for 13 consecutive years.
SAFER NIGHTS
THE NETWORK BEHIND A SAFER
NIGHT OUT
Chelmsford's nighttime economy is supported by venues, police, outreach teams and city-centre safety schemes working together.
If you need support
Ask for Angela
A discreet way to ask for help at a participating venue.
Ask for “Angela” and staff will understand that you need support. They will respond calmly and discreetly, taking your lead.
How it works
- Ask for “Angela” at a participating venue.
- Staff recognise it as a request for help.
- They can help you leave, support you to stay, contact security or seek further help where needed.
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Women's Safety Charter
Venues pledge to prioritise safety, train staff and support women who feel unsafe.
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Anti-spiking kits
Available in city centre venues torespond quickly where spiking is suspected
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Pubwatch
Licensed venues share safety information and work together.
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CCTV & Townlink
Townlink links businesses with the CCTV Control Room, helping share information when incidents happen
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Chelmsford SOS
On-street welfare support and a place of safety for anyone who needs help on a night out.
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Night Marshals
Visible city-centre support during busy night-time hours.
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Best Bar None
An accreditation for well-run venues with trained staff and a commitment to customer safety.
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Purple Flag
Recognition for city centres with a safe, and welcoming night-time economy.
CONTACT CHELMSFORD FOR YOU
TELL US WHAT YOU’RE PLANNING
Want to list an event, ask about the night-time economy or speak to the CFY team?
Send us the details and we’ll point you in the right direction.