London nightlife taskforce aims for 24-hour city
The nightlife taskforce for London has published a roadmap for supporting the capital’s on-trade and made recommendations to keep the city alive around the clock.
The report sets out 23 recommendations across 10 areas, drawing on research, data and a survey of nearly 3,000 Londoners.
It claims the nightlife industry contributes more than £139 billion (US$191.9bn) to London’s economy each year and supports more than one million night-time workers.
Mayor Sadiq Khan set up the nightlife taskforce in February 2025 to address the issues facing the capital’s nightlife businesses.
The first recommendation area is the creation and support of a new nightlife commission, comprising experts from across the city’s nightlife sector. The commission will be independent but will work closely with the Greater London Authority, local council and police.
The second recommendation is to recognise nightlife as culture. To do so, the taskforce is asking the mayor of London, councils and other public bodies to adopt its official definition of nightlife, being the “activities, events and spaces that encourage social and cultural participation primarily between 6pm and 6am”.
The taskforce has also recommended that the mayor and Greater London Authority lobby for a national nightlife business rates reform, a cost relief scheme for nightlife spaces, a scaling of National Insurance contributions based on turnover, and energy cost support.
In other financial recommendations, the roadmap suggests the creation of a Nightlife Future Fund to provide startup funding for new ideas.
The roadmap also recommends new fast-track licensing and planning classifications for temporary nightlife use to help startups. It also suggested a reform of current licensing and planning systems, which are seen as “restrictive, complex, expensive and inconsistent.”
In terms of creating a 24-hour city, the report states that investment in infrastructure, services and policies will be required. It specifically recommends expanding late-night transport, lighting, 24-hour services and cultural and retail opening hours.
In a survey, the taskforce asked Londoners what they’d most like to change about the capital’s nightlife. The most common answer was transport, with 31% mentioning it as a top priority. Coverage in outer areas, particularly south and south-east London, was highlighted, as well as safety and accessibility concerns.
The recommendations also covered noise complaints and soundproofing, and safety and the police.
Michael Kill, taskforce member and CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, said: “This report represents the most comprehensive and up-to-date evidence base ever produced on London’s nightlife and sets out a clear series of recommendations to protect, support and grow a sector that contributes over £139 billion to the capital and supports more than a million night-time workers.
“By developing practical reforms across planning, licensing, transport and safety, the report directly addresses long-standing structural barriers, including outdated and inconsistent licensing systems that have become a real burden for businesses. The focus on supporting new and emerging operators through funding, channelling creative talent and driving the next generation of nightlife businesses is critical to securing the sector’s future.
“Crucially, the creation of an independent nightlife commission provides a clear vehicle to champion, oversee and help account for the delivery of these recommendations. If acted upon with commitment and collaboration, this report can mark a real turning point for London’s nightlife and its long-term resilience.”
In late 2024, Montreal began making plans to become a 24-hour city.
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