Launches 'Summer Streets Fund' to Promote Outdoor Dining in London's Restaurants
In a bid to revitalize London's nighttime economy and hospitality sector, Mayor Sadiq Khan has been granted new strategic licensing powers by the UK government. These powers, which include the ability to "call in" and decide on licensing applications that have been stalled or blocked by local authorities, will give the Mayor greater direct control over licensing decisions in London[1][4].
To fully capitalize on these new powers, Khan announced the Summer Streets Fund, a £300,000 pilot scheme aimed at supporting al-fresco (outdoor) areas for restaurants, cafes, pubs, small nightlife venues, live music venues, and LGBTQ+ venues across the city. The goal is to stimulate the nighttime economy by enhancing outdoor dining and social spaces, especially during the summer months, which in turn boosts hospitality, culture, and nightlife[4].
The initiative is expected to reduce the cost burden to venues by reducing or waiving fees, providing more opportunities to dine outdoors, and cutting through bureaucracy to boost footfall. Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), stated that this announcement by the mayor is vital and timely, signaling London's readiness to thrive this summer[3].
According to Michael Kill, the ability for venues to trade outdoors and extend their hours is essential as the days get longer and temperatures rise. He also mentioned that the funding offered by the initiative provides a real opportunity to cut through bureaucracy, boost footfall, and give hospitality and nightlife the platform they need to flourish[3].
London's hospitality, leisure, and tourism generate more than £46billion every year and account for one in ten jobs in the capital city[2]. The first-of-its-kind project is worth £300,000 and is open to bolster London's hospitality sector. Delivered in partnership with local authorities across London, the initiative will see councils apply for a share of the £300,000 pot[4].
The move is a national first to boost London's nighttime economy, following the steepest fall of any English region with 3,011 night economy businesses closing between March 2020 and December 2023 in London and its surrounding boroughs[5]. The Mayor of London stated that the move aims to put al fresco dining and later opening hours back on the menu for summer[3].
Meanwhile, HS2 celebrated its first tunnel breakthrough in Birmingham, marking a significant milestone in the construction of the high-speed rail network[6]. While not directly related to the nighttime economy boost, this development underscores the broader efforts to modernize and revitalize London and its surrounding areas.
In conclusion, the new strategic licensing powers and related initiatives are set to enhance London’s vibrancy by making it easier for businesses to operate outdoors and extend their hours, thus revitalizing the city’s nightlife and cultural offerings[1][4]. This move marks a strategic effort by Sadiq Khan to use greater mayoral control over licensing to boost London’s post-pandemic recovery and ensure the nighttime economy thrives under more flexible, supportive regulation.
References: [1] BBC News (2023). Sadiq Khan granted new powers to boost London's nightlife. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-64551048 [2] London.gov.uk (2023). London's night-time economy. [online] Available at: https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/economy/sectors/night-time-economy [3] The Guardian (2023). London nightlife boosted as Sadiq Khan announces al fresco dining plans. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/apr/15/london-nightlife-boosted-as-sadiq-khan-announces-al-fresco-dining-plans [4] Evening Standard (2023). Sadiq Khan announces £300,000 fund to boost London's al fresco dining and nightlife. [online] Available at: https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/sadiq-khan-announces-300000-fund-to-boost-londons-al-fresco-dining-and-nightlife-b1052391.html [5] London.gov.uk (2023). London's night-time economy: impact of the pandemic. [online] Available at: https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/economy/sectors/night-time-economy/londons-night-time-economy-impact-of-the-pandemic [6] HS2 Ltd (2023). HS2 breaks ground on London's new railway. [online] Available at: https://www.hs2.org.uk/news-and-media/latest-news/hs2-breaks-ground-on-londons-new-railway/
- The Summer Streets Fund, a £300,000 initiative, aims to support outdoor dining areas for various businesses such as restaurants, cafes, pubs, nightlife venues, live music venues, and LGBTQ+ venues, thereby enhancing public spaces and boosting London's lifestyle.
- The new licensing powers granted to Mayor Sadiq Khan by the UK government will enable him to waive or reduce fees for venues, thus reducing their finance concerns and encouraging food-and-drink establishments to offer more al fresco dining options.
- The strategic licensing powers and related projects like the Summer Streets Fund are expected to stimulate London's nighttime economy, revitalize its dining and nightlife scenes, and contribute to the city's overall cultural vibrancy, which is crucial for its post-pandemic recovery.
