More night buses and police needed to boost capital’s nightlife, according to Westminster Council
Westminster Council said it had consulted residents, businesses and visitors as it prepared proposals to improve London’s nighttime economy.
A greater number of night buses, a more visible police presence and a 24-hour Tube service on Thursdays would help support and boost London’s nightlife, according to Westminster Council.
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Pouring more funding into late-night transport, including by funding improvements to taxi and private hire options, would limit closing-time crowds and help people leave the area with greater safety, it said.
Westminster Council said it has heard from residents, the capital’s businesses and visitors, who have called for a greater police presence on London’s streets to help people feel safe on a night out, which would also help the hospitality industry.
The urging for increased resources comes after a dispute regarding Westminster’s draft licensing policy, which was criticised for proposing to reduce standing-up drinking in Soho’s pubs, dubbed “vertical drinking”.
Those responding to a consultation on draft changes to Westminster’s licensing policy “consistently asked” for greater support for licensed venues including bars, pubs and nightclubs, the council reported.
Talking about the proposed changes, Westminster’s deputy leader Tim Barnes said: “A lack of investment in policing has left the Met objecting to many licensing applications over public safety concerns.
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“People struggle to get home from a night out when late-night bus routes have been cut and overnight Tube services are non-existent during the week.
“We’ve spent the summer taking feedback from residents, the hospitality industry and visitors.
“We’ll take this on board and do our bit to support the hospitality industry, but we need the mayor’s team to fund the services which make London a 24-hour city.”
Regarding the consultation on draft changes to Westminster’s licensing policy, a council spokesman has now confirmed there will not be a blanket ban on new licensed venues in Soho, and the policy wording will be updated to make this clear.
Westminster oversees more than 4,000 pubs, nightclubs, restaurants and bars, including those in Soho, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus and Covent Garden.
A spokeswoman for Lord Sadiq Khan said he is “committed to doing everything he can to make London’s high streets thrive”, pointing to falling rates of knife enabled crime and theft in the capital.
She added that the amount of police officers in the West End has doubled, and the number of phone thefts have dropped by 50% in the area.
The spokeswoman said: “In addition, Sadiq’s newly opened Command Cell in the heart of the West End is now serving as a central point for police and partners to share intelligence, identify suspects and co-ordinate action to make our streets safer for Londoners and visitors alike.
“The mayor is also helping people travel safely and affordably at all hours with London’s Night Tube.
“It provides a vital boost for our night-time economy, supporting local businesses across the capital and keeping London moving around the clock.”