Agenda item

Report of the Director of Policy, Performance and Communications

4.1      The Chairman recommended that the Council always referred to the ‘Evening and Night Time Economy’ rather than the ‘Night Time Economy’ as it was a more appropriate description of what the Council was trying to achieve.    

4.2      The report was introduced by Annette Acik, Head of Licensing.  She thanked Richard Cressey, Principal Policy Officer for writing the report.  She also referred to the commitment in City for All 2017/18 to ‘set out a clear vision and plan for our night time economy, to promote the interests of residents, businesses and visitors’.  The report summarised how the Council would start to do that prior to implementing the vision.  There would be engagement with Members, residents, industry and businesses and other key stakeholders such as the Police.    

4.3       Ms Acik picked up on a point made earlier by the Chairman that the Council would potentially be able to assist its fellow London boroughs in relation to the evening and night time economy.  Ms Acik stated that Westminster had the largest evening and night time economy in the country and Members and officers had a local perspective, expertise and knowledge that can be used to lead both Westminster and London as a whole. 

4.4       Ms Acik referred to the trends set out in the report including that ‘traditional’ forms of nightlife and entertainment are in decline.  As could be seen in the number of applications received by the Licensing Service, cafes and restaurants were on the increase.  The number of applications received for pubs, bars and nightclubs was somewhat more variable.

4.5       Ms Acik referred to the Mayor’s ambition to ‘make London a 24-hour city that’s open to all’.  The Mayor had also talked about diversification away from alcohol-led activity.  The Council's policy supported diversification away from alcohol-led activity and also protecting residents.

4.6       Ms Acik also drew Members’ attention to the fact that the evening and night time economy did not relate just to licensing.  Other areas were relevant, including economic development.  It was necessary to link up with these other areas.  There was a list of key principles set out at paragraph 4.9 of the report for discussion.    

4.7       A number of points were made by the Committee, including the following:

·           Members supported the Chairman’s view that there is an urgency to shape the debate on the evening and night time economy and potentially assist other London boroughs.  They also supported her view that the term ‘evening and night time economy’ was more applicable.

·           Members had concerns at the concept of a 24 hour city.  They supported the key principle set out in paragraph 4.9 to protect established residential communities from negative impacts.  Members preferred the concept of ‘a city that’s open to all’ rather than a ‘24-hour city that’s open to all’.  They also questioned the extension of the night tube to every night of the week.  Sara Sutton, Director of Public Protection and Licensing, observed that the Mayor had softened his tone more recently, including mentioning balancing the needs of those making use of the evening and night time economy and residents’ requirement for sleep.  It was an area where Westminster could have influence.

·           The Council needed to look carefully at evolving trends.  Whilst there was less consumption of alcohol overall, there was more consumption of alcohol by some in terms of refuelling.  One particular area of the Council’s policy that potentially needed to be looked at was late night applications for off-sales.

·           Bars were discussed.  Councillor Floru had concerns that there might be an opportunity to improve the bar offering which could potentially promote the licensing objectives (particularly if this did not involve outside drinkers) but that this would be likely to fall foul of the Council’s policies.  Other Members questioned whether there was a demand for them given the trend away from alcohol led establishments and a move towards cafes/restaurants.  Lesser demand was not down to the Council’s licensing policy. They were also concerned about the potential impact on residents from drink led premises.

·           The Committee agreed with the point that the evening and night time economy did not relate just to licensing.  It was necessary to link up all those areas which are affected by the evening and night time economy.  It was recommended that the evening and night time economy is a topic that is debated at full Council.  

4.8       RESOLVED: (i) That it be recommended that the evening and night time economy be debated at full Council; and,

            (ii) That it be noted that further engagement will take place with Members and stakeholders.