Lamé, who was appointed Greater London’s night czar in 2016 and tasked with ensuring that London thrives as a 24-hour city in line with Mayor Sadiq Khan’s vision for the capital, wrote to London’s 33 local authorities to outline the severe risks facing licensed venues during the Covid-19 lockdown.
“Some, like grassroots live music venues and LGBTQ+ spaces, are especially vulnerable as their numbers have only just stabilised after a decade of decline,” she wrote.
“The Government’s support package has provided a vital lifeline. However, without customer income, businesses must reduce spending to a bare minimum to avoid permanent closure.
“We are working with Government, local authorities, businesses, landlords and others to ensure that as many night-time businesses as possible can survive through this period. They will play a vital role in the recovery of our high streets after the crisis has passed.
“The mayor (Sadiq Khan) and I are asking all London local authorities to consider providing their licensed premises with a licence fee holiday for 12 months.
“This could include suspending collection of annual licence fees and late-night levy fees where applicable. It mirrors the business rates holiday for retail, leisure and hospitality businesses.”
As previously reported by The Morning Advertiser, more than half of the late-night levies adopted in England are in London, with each of the last three imposed on venues in the capital.
