A greater number of night buses, a more visible police presence, and a 24-hour Tube service on Thursdays would help support and boost London's nightlife, according to Westminster City Council, which oversees more than 4,000 pubs, nightclubs, restaurants and bars across areas including Soho, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus and Covent Garden. The council said pouring more funding into late-night transport, including improvements to taxi and private hire options, would limit closing-time crowds and help people leave the area more safely, and that residents, businesses and visitors had called for a greater police presence to help people feel safe on a night out. The call comes after a dispute over Westminster's draft licensing policy, which was criticised for proposing to reduce standing-up drinking in Soho's pubs, dubbed "vertical drinking." A council spokesman has confirmed there will not be a blanket ban on new licensed venues in Soho, and that the policy wording will be updated to make this clear.
Cllr Tim Barnes, the council's Deputy Leader, said, "a lack of investment in policing has left the Met objecting to many licensing applications over public safety concerns. People struggle to get home from a night out when late-night bus routes have been cut and overnight Tube services are non-existent during the week. We've spent the summer taking feedback from residents, the hospitality industry and visitors. We'll take this on board and do our bit to support the hospitality industry, but we need the mayor's team to fund the services which make London a 24-hour city."
More night buses and police needed to boost capital's nightlife, according to Westminster Council
Westminster Council said it had consulted residents, businesses and visitors as it prepared proposals to improve London’s nighttime economy.
Westminster's Deputy Leader, Councillor Tim Barnes, said:
"A lack of investment in policing has left the Met objecting to many licensing applications over public safety concerns.
"People struggle to get home from a night out when late-night bus routes have been cut and overnight Tube services are non-existent during the week.
"We've spent the summer taking feedback from residents, the hospitality industry and visitors.
"We'll take this on board and do our bit to support the hospitality industry, but we need the mayor's team to fund the services which make London a 24-hour city."
Read Isobel Anderson Morris' article for LBC on their website.
