Lambeth launches its first Night Time Economy Strategy
Over 150 representatives from Lambeth’s 3,900 night time businesses, the GLA and The Night Time Industries Association gathered at Electric Brixton last night (27 January) for a special celebration of Lambeth’s night time economy.
The event, hosted in partnership with Brixton BID and the GLA, marked the launch of the borough’s first Night Time Economy Strategy, which aims to protect and grow Lambeth’s world-class night time economy over the next five years.
The night time industries employ more than 75,000 people in the borough, with 1 in 3 pounds spent after 6pm, making it a key part of the borough’s ambitions for inclusive growth. This is an enabling strategy for Lambeth’s 10-year Growth Plan, delivering ambitions for inclusive growth, vibrant town centres and ensuring our neighbourhoods remain great places to live and invest.
Key measures in the new strategy include:
- Supporting businesses to trade later at night and easily navigate our regulatory processes through a business-friendly licensing approach, aligning with the recommendations in London’s Nightlife Taskforce report, which was also launched this week. Lambeth will work with GLA colleagues to maximise opportunities from the GLA’s upcoming Strategic Licensing work.
- Protecting grassroots music, theatre and arts venues through updates to licensing and planning rules, including embedding the ‘Agent of Change’ principle to protect existing venues from the threat of closure due to noise complaints from new developments.
- Reviving high streets and town centres at night with support for more al-fresco dining, and utilising new High Street Rental Auction powers, delivered in partnership with The Mayor of London. These would give business and communities the ‘right to rent’ units left empty by landlords, with the council expected to announce plans to designate the first high streets where auctions could take place shortly.
- Trialling new night hubs in busy town centres, including on Windrush Square, Brixton, to help make Lambeth London’s safest night out. The first new trial hub will be established in Brixton next month, as part of a Home Office-funded initiative involving partnerships between Brixton BID, local police and the council. Clapham’s existing night hub has been shown to save over £82,000 a year in ambulance and A&E visits.
CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, Mike Kill, spoke about the value of the night time economy, and how the NTIA and Brixton BID came together in work with Brixton’s businesses to protect its beating heart of night time culture. Deputy Mayor Howard Dawber OBE, and Chair of London’s Nightlife Taskforce and fabric nightclub director Cameron Leslie, celebrated the economic impact of Lambeth’s night time economy and applauded the council’s leadership to protect the borough’s nightlife.
Councillor Claire Holland, Leader of Lambeth Council, said:
- As Londoners we’re proud to be a 24-hour city, and Lambeth is a borough that comes to life at night like no other.
But we can’t take our night-time economy for granted. We’re clear about the challenges our independent arts, culture and hospitality businesses face, and are committed to using our regulatory powers to unleash the full potential of our evening economy, which attracts millions of visitors from around the world every year.
That’s why we’ve announced our plans to make Lambeth the best, and also the safest, night out in London.
Cllr Holland also said that, as a first step in that ambition, the council would be working with Brixton BID to launch an exciting new ‘night hub’ pilot in Brixton in the coming weeks”
She added: “And this isn’t just about entertainment – late-night workers keep our city moving whilst we sleep, including our large health and social care workforce who provide care around the clock.
“With the rise of the gig economy, we’re looking to pilot new support for those working in precarious conditions. We think a green cab shelter-style hub could be part of the solution for riders who lack adequate shelter, water and toilet facilities.
“London is a global city, and we have also welcomed the Government’s decision to back our calls for an overnight accommodation levy to re-invest in local communities and support growth and investment across the borough.
“We look forward to working with local partners, the Mayor of London and his new Nightlife Taskforce, and the Government to support the key sectors that operate from 6pm to 6am.”
London’s Deputy Mayor for Business, Howard Dawber, said:
- London’s night time economy depends on strong local leadership to protect and celebrate our venues and champion our night workers. It is fantastic to see Lambeth launch its first-ever Night Time Economy Strategy to do just this, recognising and supporting the borough’s diverse, unique night time offer.
The strategy will complement the landmark report by London’s independent Nightlife Taskforce that sets out a bold plan to drive the future of the capital at night and new licensing powers the Mayor is set to receive from Government to help unlock the potential of our capital’s nightlife, as we work in partnership to build a better London for everyone.
