Plan to boost London's nightlife launched including allowing more venues to open

The 'first-ever' plan to bolster Central London’s nightlife has been launched, and the public is being asked to have their say. Westminster City Council said the draft strategy, called Westminster After Dark, was a roadmap to balancing the late-night economy with the needs of residents and businesses.

The borough is home to many of London’s most famous attractions as well as the globally renowned West End. The proposal includes installing an extra 100 CCTV cameras, improving street lighting and expanding joint council and police patrols to tackle anti-social behaviour.

The council has also suggested tweaking its licensing framework to create 'Late-Night Entertainment Zones' in Oxford Street, The Strand, and Victoria Street. These dedicated spaces will allow new live music and entertainment venues to operate away from residential areas.

Westminster City will also require newly licensed venues to assess and mitigate risks to women’s safety. The local authority has also pledged to prioritise support for culturally significant LGBTQ+ spaces while expanding late-night cultural and family-friendly entertainment options.

This could include extending retail hours, night-time museum openings and opening creative workspaces. There are also plans to host 'quiet nights' with reduced noise levels, dimmed lighting, and designated calm zones.

'[This] explores how we will remain a welcoming, innovative, inclusive, and liveable city with something on offer for everyone'

The council is also pushing for Transport for London (TfL) to restore night bus services. Cllr Geoff Barraclough, the cabinet member for planning and economic development, said: “Westminster After Dark aims to balance the needs of a thriving evening and night-time offer with the wellbeing of the residents who call Westminster their home.

“This new strategy is our response to the obvious challenges of managing these competing demands. Following extensive engagement, Westminster After Dark explores how we will remain a welcoming, innovative, inclusive, and liveable city with something on offer for everyone.

“I know that many people feel passionately about this subject. Please get involved and respond to the consultation.”

‘Useful steps in the right direction’

Tim Lord, chair of the Soho Society, said the plan should include targets on reducing crime. He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service crime in the West End remained high and was related to the night-time economy.

He said: “The council says there is little it can do but in fact there is a specific action under the Licensing Act - an early morning restriction order - that temporary intervention appears to be designed for exactly this high crime situation in a small area where gangs operate, the council so far has failed to investigate that despite our request.”

He also referred to Met Police crime data for the West End, which showed there had been almost 30,000 instances of theft and shoplifting between January and December 2024. There were also 2954 violent and sexual offences committed. He said: “However, there are a number of useful steps in the right direction as crime is identified as a key issue.”

'We all want to see a thriving commercial sector'

West End councillor Tim Barnes said many things have changed for the night-time economy since Covid-19. He said the costs of running hospitality businesses have risen since the Autumn Budget.

He said: "We need to find a new balance for residents of the West End and the pubs, bars, restaurants and clubs that make the area what it is. We all want to see a thriving commercial sector that has energy and buzz but can be managed for the benefit of all.

"It’s been clear since 2022, after the effects of lockdown had begun to shake out, that we needed a review and while we welcome news of this consultation, it’s worth asking why it has taken so long and how effective it will be."

It comes after people slammed the current state of Westminster City’s night-life scene during a previous consultation. Some 263 comments were shared ranging from the noise disturbance caused by unregulated pedicabs, ASB issues and rough sleepers to the lack of late-night police patrols and poor lighting.

'It is not safe to walk outside'

One person said Edgware Road had become 'a home for the dubious and destitute'. They wrote: “It is not safe to walk outside as shady characters loiter around and prey on the innocent. Part of the problem is the shops that now occupy the main road and the lack of policing.

“There is no deterrent and, as a result, there has been knife crime in broad daylight, rough sleepers sleeping outside Barclays every night as their handlers drop and collect their mattresses daily. People at Barclays get robbed at the ATM frequently to the extent the bank has limited the ATM operating hours. If that is not an indication of the failure of the powers that be, I don't know what is!”

Another said Shaftesbury Avenue had too many licenced premises in too small an area. They wrote: “Too much noise, urine, vomit, too many intoxicated & on drugs people.”

'Bars and restaurants all close too early'

Another said Soho was 'losing some of its appeal'. They said: “Bars and restaurants all close too early and some of the fun has gone out of it. There's not enough late night venues. You should be able to get something to eat after midnight.

“It was wonderful when more of the streets were closed and there were tables and chairs in the streets. I live in the area and the noise didn't worry [sic]. A small number of people were inconvenienced by it but many, many times more loved it and we really should bring it back.”

Another added: “A world-leading city like London needs a world-leading evening and night-time economy. I enjoy seeing people enjoy themselves in a well-managed and safe way.

“The buzz and vibrancy of Soho owes a lot to its night-time activities, including those that go on to the early hours of the morning. Without these activities Soho will lose its uniqueness and appeal. As long as the area is managed properly and policed sufficiently then these night-time uses should be strongly encouraged.”

The public has until June 22 to comment on the proposals. They can be found here.

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