• People gather and socialise along the Thames at night, with the South Bank lit up and Hungerford Bridge glowing in the background.

Night Time Economy

The Night Time Economy Strategy sets out how working hand in hand with businesses, we’ll protect and grow Lambeth’s world class night time economy, helping people feel safer and celebrating our unique character after dark.
  • A nightclub room full of people smiling and dancing while confetti falls
  • A group of three actors dressed in nineteenth century costumes performing a play at South London Theatre
  • A group of five people standing under a gazebo and behind a table of food for sale, smiling at the camera
  • A band of people playing different instruments, led by two front people singing into microphones, performing in a bar
  • A group of three dancers in Afro-Caribbean inspired dresses, performing in Black British Ballet at Clapham Library
  • A small business owner walking between shop stalls set up in FIRE Nightclub as part of Queer Mart
  • Two instructors in high visibility vests giving a training to three night workers
  • A Transport for London worker opening Clapham North station before dawn

    5.20am. Parting the curtains at Number 1.

  • A group of people sit around a table in conversation in front of a wall of community artworks
  • A group of five security workers in high visibility vests stand in front of the Clapham Night Hub ahead of their night time patrol

Lambeth is one of the UK’s most vibrant and culturally rich destinations after dark, home to world-renowned venues, diverse late-night businesses, outstanding hospitals, and nightlife that attracts visitors from across London and beyond. Our night time economy is central to local economic growth, with over a third of total spend happening after 6 pm (against the London average of one quarter of spend happening at night).

Our cultural venues in South Bank and Brixton alone generate over £530 million in economic value annually. Across the borough, we have nearly 4,000 businesses and over 76,000 employees in night time economy sectors. With the borough seeing the fifth-highest level of night time visitors across all London boroughs, Lambeth’s neighbourhoods are recognised as major hubs in both the London Growth Plan and Lambeth Growth Plan.

Working with businesses and cultural partners, Lambeth Council is protecting and growing the night time economy by supporting venues, safeguarding cultural assets, improving safety and ensuring night work and leisure benefit local communities – all through our Night Time Economy Strategy.

Highlights of our work

Since being published in late 2025, our Night Time Economy Strategy is already delivering:

  • A new Safe Hub in Brixton, providing support, phone charging, and a safe place to stop in Windrush Square, Thursday through Saturday – with the support of the Home Office and Brixton BID
  • More community night time events, including an upcoming Day of Portugal celebration on Wilcox Road on June 13, multicultural showcase in Streatham and accessible nightlife in West Norwood, connecting more Lambeth residents to night time activities
  • Upgrades to the Clapham Night Hub, ensuring more nightlife-goers know about and benefit from the space
  • 20 new Safe Haven business accreditations across the borough

Subscribe to our Lambeth Now mailing list below to hear about upcoming opportunities and grants under the Night Time Economy Strategy.

Click here to read our Night Time Economy Strategy

Useful links

Night Time Industries Association
The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) champions the UK’s night-time economy, supporting businesses, shaping policy and highlighting the sector’s cultural and economic impact – Night Time Industries Association

Night Club guide for employers
A practical employer guide from Night Club, combining research and real-world insight to help organisations better support the health, wellbeing and productivity of night-time workers – Night Club guide for employers

Women’s Night Safety Charter
A practical toolkit from the Greater London Authority, helping organisations take action to improve women’s safety at night through guidance, training and best practice – Women’s Night Safety Charter

VisitEngland guide for businesses
VisitEngland guidance helping businesses improve accessibility and inclusivity, with practical tools, checklists and advice to create better experiences for customers and staff – VisitEngland guidance

Lambeth License and permits
Guidance on licences and permits in Lambeth, including how to apply, manage and stay compliant when running a business or event-
Lambeth License and permits