Sir Sadiq Khan is set to gain new powers to help London’s nightlife following a decline in city centre pubs.
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.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner (second left), Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan speak with Paul Pace (left), music programmer and legacy manager, during a visit to Ronnie Scott’s in London
PA
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.
Labour has not pressed ahead with an absolute ban on smoking
PA
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.
Diners enjoy al fresco dining in Kensington
PA Wire
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
“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.