Sir Sadiq Khan is set to gain new powers to help London’s nightlife following a decline in city centre pubs.
The Labour Mayor of London has received backing from the Government to take measures to help restore the capital to pre-pandemic levels of activity.
Ministers have said they want to remove “red tape” they believe is hampering the night-time economy and say they “back the British night out”.
Rising rents, falling footfall, staff recruitment issues and cost of living pressures have contributed to a net loss of 40 pubs in central London in the year to March 2023.
The proposals to give Sir Sadiq Khan more powers are being tested in Westminster, where Labour’s council majority has been reduced.
The council has already launched its own After Dark Strategy, potentially setting it on a collision course with the mayor.
Businesses have expressed their backing, but the Mayor’s authority has already been tested, notably when the plan to pedestrianise Oxford Street faced opposition.
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Sir Sadiq said: “I am delighted that the Government is looking to grant London greater powers over licensing.
“This significant decision would allow us to do more to support the capital’s pubs, clubs, music venues and other parts of the visit and tourist scene.”
Conservative shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith has hit back at Labour’s plans, calling them “hypocritical”.
He said: "The hypocrisy of this Labour government is staggering.
"The Government claims it is looking to slash red tape on business whilst doing the exact opposite, with their smoking ban proposals, scrapping of takeaway pints, recycling tax and attack on free speech in venues all set to make life harder for our publicans — and that's all before the impact of their jobs tax and Employment Rights Bill kicked in."
An industry taskforce is set to report back in six weeks.
Here’s what the mayor has proposed to support the capital’s night-time economy.
What is Sadiq Khan looking to do to revive London’s night-time economy?
Powers to overrule councils
The Government plans to allow the Greater London Authority to review strategic licensing powers and explore a pilot scheme.
This would provide the mayor with new powers over “strategic licensing”. These would help him to overrule a council decision to refuse to allow a pub, bar or restaurant permission to operate outside standard licensing hours.
The Government wants Sir Sadiq to have the final say on granting permission, with the mayor likely to favour relevant planning applications.
The move could be adopted across other parts of England if successful.
Westminster Council has said it does not oppose venues opening and has granted the "vast majority" of licensing applications.
More al fresco dining
Sir Sadiq also wants more al fresco dining, in line with the Government's push to introduce outdoor dining and extended opening hours.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: "Our pubs, restaurants and live music venues are the beating heart of our cultural life, so it is vital they are given every chance to survive and thrive.
"Too often, we have seen the complaints of a vocal minority of objectors promoted over the need for our country to grow - we are determined to change this."
Launching a dedicated taskforce
The mayor launched a dedicated taskforce in February to explore what could be done to help preserve London’s nightlife.
This working group comprises 11 independent industry professionals and follows Amy Lame's departure from her night czar role after eight years in October.
"I'm determined to do all I can to work alongside our nighttime industries, which is why I've brought together this independent taskforce of experts to examine and address the opportunities and issues facing the industry," the mayor said.
