Sadiq Khan's Nightlife Taskforce share 23 recommendations for London's night-time economy

London Mayor Sadiq Khan's Nightlife Taskforce has unveiled 23 recommendations to support London's night-time industries.

The industry-led body, comprising of a range of nightlife figures and experts, published its independent report today (January 27), highlighting challenges facing the sector alongside suggestions to "protect, support, and grow" the capital's club scene.

The recommendations, which have been informed through research and consultation with 3,000 Londoners, include reforms on the city's "outdated" licensing and planning processes, in order to make "applications simpler and decisions more consistent" for venues.

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As Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan will receive broader powers from the government this year in order to "make a call" on licensing decisions of "strategic importance", such as key venues and zoning.

The report calls on the Mayor of London to "recognise nightlife as culture" by widening access to cultural support programmes, alongside the introduction of noise monitoring technology in licensing decisions, and re-establishing a "Late Night Transport Working Group" to improve transport links for nightlife.

Other recommendations include the introduction of a "Nightlife Future Fund", which would support new projects from underrepresented communities, business rates relief for nightlife businesses, a "database" of disused spaces with the potential to host nightlife activities, and an independent review of policing around nightclubs.

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“Our night-time economy supports more than a million jobs, contributes more than £139 billion to our economy and brings communities together, but action is needed to ensure that it can be a thriving part of life in our city for many years to come," says Sadiq Khan.

"The taskforce’s recommendations set out a bold future for our life at night and I’m committed to working with partners to do all I can to support this," he continues. "This includes receiving new licensing powers from the government soon that will help us to unlock the potential of our capital’s nightlife, as we build a better London for everyone.”

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The Nightlife Taskforce was first launched last February, and includes industry figures such as Pxssy Palace founder Nadine Noor, Colour Factory founder Nathaneal Williams, Corsica Studios' former Art Director and Head of Operations Alice Hoffmann-Fuller and Daytimers founder Provhat Rahman — while fabric co-founder and Director Cameron Leslie acts as the Taskforce chair.

“Nightlife is not a problem to be managed - it’s a vital part of how London expresses itself," says Leslie. "This report sets out a clear vision for a city that works after dark: safer, more inclusive, better connected and more sustainable, while protecting the creativity that makes London globally unique. London’s nightlife matters to our economy, our culture and our communities - and this work shows how we can support it for the long term.”

You can read the Nightlife Taskforce's full report here.

Megan Townsend is Mixmag's Deputy Editor, follow her on X