Night Tube

Northern line extension to Night Tube services will give ‘extra boost’ to late-night business

By Sara Hussein

- Last updated on GMT

The Northern line's Charing cross branch will be added to the Night Tube
The Northern line's Charing cross branch will be added to the Night Tube

Related tags Night tube London underground

London pub operators and trade members have welcomed the opening of an additional Night Tube service this weekend, saying it will deliver ‘greater access’ and give an ‘extra boost’ to late-night hospitality trade.

Transport for London​ (TfL) announced that the Northern Line’s Charing Cross branch will run trains on average every eight minutes between Morden and Camden Town and every 15 minutes from Camden to Edgeware or High Barnet.

‘Good for trade and safety’

“It would be good for my staff who will be finishing their shifts late to get the tube home on the weekend,” said Tommyfield general manager Alex Cook, based in Kennington, south London, “we also have hotel rooms above the pub, so the Northern line will help a lot for our customers.”

General manager at the Railway Tavern in Clapham, Alexander Harris, said: "It's good for trade and safety, it will be interesting to see how it works."

‘Extra boost’

Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers​ (ALMR) chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “The introduction of Night Tube services across the capital has cemented London’s reputation as a truly 24-hour city and the roll-out of additional services this weekend will deliver a welcome extra boost.

She added: “The ALMR has always been a strong champion of the scheme as it will provide our customers with even greater access to late-night hospitality and gives our staff members easier access to work.

“A recent study indicated that the scheme could be worth up to £71m to the late-night weekend economy by giving customers the flexibility to enjoy one more drink in the capital. This is a significant economic boost and increased capacity and new services will help the city’s late-night businesses improve on that.” 

Working ‘longer into the night’

However, some people in the industry expressed their concerns when the Night Tube initially opened in August this year.

A survey by Change Group at the time revealed that 83% of people working in hospitality were concerned the Night Tube may lead to them working longer hours.

Bartender Yali McCall told The Morning Advertiser ​at the time: “I will have to clean up more sick, perhaps work longer into the night. On the plus side, bars will probably smash their targets.”

However, freelance bartender Ross Kerslake said: “Unfortunately it will not lead to bars extending their opening hours because the local councils and Government are [anally] retentive about that kind of thing.”

Related news

Spotlight

Follow us

Pub Trade Guides

View more

The MA Lock In Podcast

Join us for a Lock In