London Nightlife Taskforce lays out proposals to protect and support after-dark economy in new report

The London Nightlife Taskforce has published a new report calling for urgent action and reform to protect and support the city’s after-dark economy and culture.

Formed in 2025, the Greater London Authority’s first dedicated nightlife group, led by London mayor Sadiq Khan, has prepared 23 proposals and recommendations in its first publication, Protecting, retaining & growing London’s nightlife. These include reforms to the city’s venue licensing and planning policies in order make applications more consistent, streamlined and accessible across all boroughs. The 59-page document has been developed from extensive research, data and analysis, including the contributions of nearly 3,000 Londoners who responded to last year’s survey.

In partnership with the Mayor’s Office and consultancy and advocacy agency Vibe Lab, the taskforce found London’s nighttime economy contributes £139 million annually to the city, accounts for a million jobs, and is crucial for tourism and local economies. It also provides a detailed snapshot of London night culture in action, painting a picture of who’s going out, where they’re going out, and perhaps most crucially, what they want from their city’s nightlife. 

Among the priorities expressed by over half of respondents to the survey was support for grassroots and independent spaces, particularly those under threat of closure due to surrounding developments and commercial competition. Other points emphasised by respondents included the maintaining of inclusive nightlife offerings for a diverse range of communities, prioritisation of safety and preventing harassment, and overall licensing and regulatory reform. 

In order to foster its continued growth and success, the taskforce also recommends the following: the formation of a new Nighttime Commission of experts from the sector; the official recognition of nightlife as culture; the creation of nightlife business rates and cost relief policies in national and city governments; a Nightlife Future Fund to invest in new projects; a follow through on the Mayor of London’s Vision for a 24-Hour City; the provision of more nighttime public transportation; a rethink on sound regulations and provision of resources for soundproofing to mitigate noise-related venue disputes; the promotion of nighttime safety and harm reduction; and more. 

“Nightlife is not a problem to be managed — it’s a vital part of how London expresses itself,” said taskforce chair and fabric co-founder and director Cameron Leslie in a press statement. “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.”

“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,” said Mayor Sadiq Khan. “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.”

The other London Nightlife Taskforce members are: Pxssy Palace’s Nadine Noor, NITA CEO Michael Kill, Broadwick Live’s Sam Spencer, Alice Hoffmann-Fuller (a consultant and former leader at Corsica Studios), Colour Factory and Jumbi founder Nathanael Williams, Daytimers and Dialled In co-founder Provhat Rahman, Georgia Wald of pub group Fuller, Smith & Turner, UKHospitality CEO Kate Nicholls and communications director Sophie Brownlee (formerly of Music Venues Trust).

“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”, Kill said in a press statement. “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.” 

Last month, the London-based Good Night Out Campaign launched a new grassroots platform on nightlife safety, harm reduction and welfare care. Hackney Council also announced a safety-forward Good Evening Hackney Strategy in July 2025. 

The March 2025 Westminster After Dark Strategy announced plans for protected “nightlife zones” in central London as a result of consistent noise and safety complaints from residents. 

London previously had a Night Czar in Amy Lamé, who stepped down in October 2024 after eight years. 

Read the report in full here, and find more information on the London Nightlife Taskforce website.