London to create Night Time Enterprise Zones

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced plans to introduce a £500,000 funding programme to create Night Time Enterprise Zones. The vision for this programme is to aid London’s economic recovery, by targeting three specified zones across London to increase footfall in local high streets after 6pm.

Local authorities will be encouraged to work collaboratively with local operators and communities to develop ideas to make their high streets more accessible, inclusive and welcoming at night, such ideas could be:

• Looking at extending opening hours;
• holding special events;
• looking at measures to improve women’s safety;
• championing good work standards for those working in the night- time economy.

Such a scheme was previously trialled in Waltham Forest in 2019, which successfully resulted in an increased footfall on Walthamstow High Street by 22% and improved safety perceptions.

Mayor Khan stated: “High streets are the lifeblood of our communities and have a key role to play in our economic recovery from the pandemic. Our Night Time Enterprise Zone pilot showed what is possible for our town centres at night, and by expanding the zones to more areas, we will help local authorities and businesses make their high streets more welcoming and inclusive after 6pm.”

Kate Nicholls, CEO of UK Hospitality and former chair of the London Night Time Commission, proclaimed: “A diverse and vibrant night time offer rooted in the local community is something the Commission recognised as being essential in ensuring our high streets are seen as attractive destinations for everyone after 6pm.”

It will be interesting for London operators to see what the positive impacts this scheme may have on the London night-time economy.