London governments can and should support the night time leisure offer

Too often we have seen venues in London closing down due to over-regulation, taxation and lack of investment. Businesses are calling on governments to act. 

However, the levers to solve those problems are owned by different levels of the government. It is indeed crucial for the industry to grasp the intricacies of the system and pinpoint the appropriate channels for support and dialogue.  

Here we outline what the local governments in London can do, have done, and what we think they can do more.

Mayor

The Mayor's office oversees two critical elements of the 24-hour economy: transportation and policing. The Night Tube in London has proven effective, adding £190 million to London’s economy through increased footfall and patronage. However, policing has faced criticism for inadequate actions, poor performance, and inefficient resource allocation, with rising crime threatening sector development. Addressing the pressing but complex issues has topped the agenda within the sector and the government.

An overlooked game changer is the Mayor's planning powers which can safeguard venues and sites, encouraging investment and development. While housing continues to be a priority in London, mixed-use developments have emerged as potential solutions. The planning system could require developers to create frameworks that support multiple urban activities, such as residency, education, hospitality, and leisure. Measures like soundproofing buildings and designing safer public spaces can help balance the interests of local communities.

Councils

Local councils govern licences and planning applications, often dealing with noise complaints and conflicts between businesses and communities. There is an ongoing debate about whether the Mayor should be involved in this area to make city-wide decisions, but no consensus has been reached yet. Councils, however, must recognise the significance of nightlife beyond mere “public nuisance”. They need to understand its social value. It is in the communities’ interest for councils to adopt a proactive stance by crafting comprehensive night-time strategies for their locales. 

Since the Mayor published the night economy strategy guidance, local councils including Wandsworth, Hackney, and Greenwich have developed night-time strategies for their areas. More importantly, councils must actively engage with stakeholders to collaboratively create and design visions and strategies for the after-dark environment where urban culture and social life flourish.

Attis can help

Businesses and industry should not wait for changes to happen by themselves, but unite and engage with their local councils and Mayor to make their voices heard and to collaboratively secure a better future for the industry.

At Attis, we adopted a mission-led approach to revitalising London after dark. We bring together a mixed group of expertise including policy and advocacy, safety, and night-time economy. We collaborate to help the night-time industry navigate the complex political and stakeholder environment. 

Get in touch with our team at hello@attistowns.com to unlock vitality.