London is getting a new task force to save its ailing nightlife – but what will it do?

Sadiq Khan has revealed he wants to ‘sort out the tension’ between Nimbys and nightclubs as he launches a new task force to rejuvenate London’s nightlife.

The Mayor of London has announced London’s new independent Nightlife Taskforce after the city’s former Night Czar Amy Lamé stepped down in October.

Her resignation came as London suffered a 19% decline in late night venues since Covid lockdowns, with iconic venues including Tiger Tiger and G-A-Y announcing their closures or planned sales.

G-A-Y owner Jeremy Joseph said ‘there is no point fighting to stay open anymore’ and blamed Westminster’s strict licensing, Nimby residents and the area ‘losing its queer identity’.

But in compiling members of all parts of the night time economy, Mr Khan said he hopes the group will try and reverse the decline the city has been experiencing so rapidly.

This includes exploring the extension of alcohol licensing, widening the night tube and putting Nimby’s who move to areas with a lot of night life last.

The group will undergo a consultation period of six months along with other bodies such as Transport for London and the Metropolitan Police, before giving their recommendations to the mayor.

The Mayor told Metro: ‘I understand there are tensions between different parts of London, it is a city for both play and rest.

‘For example, we want developers who are building next to pre-existing night life must provide working insulation to help stop noise complaints from those who move in next door.’

But noise complaints are still stopping venue owners across the hospitality sector from expanding their businesses.

Victor Garvey, who runs Michelin star restaurant SOLA in Soho, told Metro he wanted to extend his permissions by just one house to allow diners to enjoy a longer time at the table.

He said: ‘It costs diners £300 per head to eat here, but they are acting like we are some cheap nightclub trying to stay open until 5am.’

The chef said ‘there is no point bothering’ fighting for it to be approved after a licensing lawyer said how unlikely it was for it get the green light.

‘If businesses are now saying “why bother” and question their future in your area, you know you are doing something wrong,’ he said.

The taskforce, which is lead by Cameron Leslie, Co-founder of nightclub Fabric, includes a number of members representing different corners of London’s venues.

This includes Nadine Noor, Founder of Pxssy Palace, Seb Glover, co-founder of Fold and The Cause, as well as key industry bodies Kate Nicholls CEO of UK Hospitality, Mike Kill CEO of Night Time Industries Association.

Mr Leslie said: ‘I’m delighted to have been invited to lead this newly assembled independent Nightlife Taskforce. This group that has come together, represents some of the best of what London has to offer, across an incredibly broad spectrum.

‘We are all excited about the future of nightlife in our wonderful city, and are also acutely aware of the stark challenges we face.

‘The Taskforce cannot wave a magic wand to make things better but I truly believe through our experience, expertise, knowledge, relationships and desire we can put forward something meaningful by which all stakeholders and individuals who genuinely want to see London’s vibrant nighttime economy thrive and grow can then get behind.’

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