The Government announced the extended licensing hours for pubs and bars to give people the opportunity to join in the celebrations.
The extension means that venues with a usual closing time of 11pm will be able to remain open until 1am.
A letter from Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, and Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor for Business, has been sent to the BIDs, which are defined areas in which the local businesses have voted to invest together to improve their environment, urging them to encourage business to make use of the new hours.
Vibrant atmosphere
This follows a letter they sent earlier this month (April), calling for local councils to support alfresco dining and late-night opening.
In this latest letter it said: “Whether you run a pub, café, restaurant or music venue, we invite you to make full use of these powers granted by the Government to create a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where Londoners and visitors alike can reflect and celebrate.
“There are gatherings planned across the capital, as well as a televised event for 10,000 Londoners and visitors at Horse Guards Parade. With your support, London will be at the heart of the nation’s celebrations.”
Support London nightlife
It added that beyond VE Day, the Mayor wants to support London’s nightlife businesses to thrive and as part of this it wants to see more pubs, bars and music venues benefitting from the extended opening hours and alfresco dining.
“We are working with the Government to introduce a ground-breaking pilot to support hospitality, leisure and tourism in our city through new strategic licensing powers and will be working with councils to do all we can to ensure Londoners and visitors enjoy a summer to remember,” it said.
