The Mayor of London has announced plans to make al fresco dining a “permanent feature” of London nightlife.
Sadiq Khan is set to receive new licensing powers from government in the coming months, which would help to extend opening hours of local hospitality businesses, while also making it easier to set licensing priorities.
It comes as research from City Hall showed that changes to licensing laws in London could boost the capital’s economy by £2b a year.
Earlier this year, the government announced its intention to allow Khan to have ‘call in’ powers for deciding on licensing applications of strategic importance.
This would include creating more opportunities for al fresco dining and supporting notable nightlife venues.
The £300,000 Summer Streets Fund announced in May has led to several restaurants, pubs and cafés across London offering outdoor tables for food and drink.
New al fresco dining schemes in Brixton, Leyton, Shoreditch and Westminster have already launched, while Westminster City Council introduced the city’s first evening market in Rupert Street just this week.
Khan said: “I’m delighted that al fresco dining and drinking has returned to St Martin’s Lane in the heart of the West End, with Londoners and visitors once again lining the street to enjoy the finest food and drinks.
“I’m determined that our fantastic Summer Streets schemes are just the start of what’s to come for our capital and want to see al fresco dining become a permanent feature of our nightlife across London.”
He added: “Our new analysis shows that changes to licensing can boost our economy by billions each year and I’m committed to working with councils to support our restaurants, bars and cafés and unlock the full potential of our capital’s nightlife, as we build a better London for everyone.”
Westminster councillor Max Sullivan, cabinet member for streets, said: “Westminster Council has granted almost 1,000 licences providing nearly 15,000 seats for outdoor dining across the city. Launching today, both al fresco dining on St Martin’s Lane and our new evening market on Rupert Street act on the recommendations of the council’s Westminster After Dark report.”
Kate Nicholls, chair of UKHospitality, said: “I have high hopes for positive changes to licensing in London in the near future, and for businesses more widely following the government response to the licensing taskforce reforms. Hospitality is absolutely critical to London’s economy and I look forward to continuing to work with the Mayor on delivering positive change for the sector.”