Mayor gains new powers over venue licences

The Mayor of London has been given the power to intervene in some licensing decisions, in a move supporters say will benefit the capital's nightlife and hospitality sectors.

From Monday, Sadiq Khan can intervene in licensing applications deemed strategically important to London, allowing him to review council decisions and make the final ruling.

Lord Khan said the "new licensing powers create an opportunity to further champion London's amazing venues, particularly our hospitality industry."

Critics argue the powers - which could apply to large venues, live music, later opening hours, festivals and major events - could take decision-making away from local authorities.

Lord Khan has argued they are are needed because London's nightlife sector faces inconsistent licensing rules and processes across different boroughs.

City Hall said the changes will support the sector and help create "a more strategic and consistent approach to licensing".

Under the wider changes, councils will have to consult the mayor when revising licensing policies, while City Hall will be able to make formal representations on applications.

The mayor has also been given the power to introduce a London-wide Strategic Licensing Policy, with a final version expected later this year following a public consultation.

Lord Khan said it would allow him to back venues important to London's economy while protecting local communities.

"From today, thanks to the government, I can step in and make decisions on licensing applications of particular importance for our economy, reputation and nightlife," he said.

"As mayor I have always tried to be pro-jobs and pro-business and I'm determined to build on this."

Kate Nicholls, chair of UKHospitality, called it "a significant moment for London's world-class hospitality sector" and said the changes would support an industry employing around half a million people in the capital.

"We look forward to working with the mayor to deliver on his commitment to support the hospitality sector in London," she added.

Some however argue that the move jars with the government's wider push for devolution, announced in last week's Budget, which aims to shift power and decision-making closer to communities.

London Councils has overall welcomed the government's wider devolution roadmap, which would give London greater control over funding including business rates and income tax revenues.

However, the group stressed boroughs should remain central to decision-making.

Kam Rai, deputy chair of London Councils, said: "Devolution should come as close as possible to communities."

Rai said boroughs should be "equal partners" alongside the mayor in decisions over devolved funding.

Tim Barnes, deputy leader of Westminster City Council and councillor for the West End ward, said the mayor's new licensing powers would instead transfer authority from councils to City Hall.

"Devolution means taking power down so it's closer to the people," he said. "This is taking powers that the council has and taking them upwards into the mayor.

"There is no reason for doing it."

Applications deemed "strategic", and therefore eligible for the mayor to call in, could include large venues, festivals and major events with a significant impact on London's economy, culture or reputation.

Barnes, however, argued the proposed definition was too broad, claiming it could cover "nearly 80%" of licensed premises in Westminster.

He described the move as "much more like a land grab by the mayor to try and to try and take control of ever more things into his empire rather than a use of any powers that actually is trying to solve a problem".

Barnes also questioned what difference the powers would make, noting Westminster approves about 98.5% of valid licensing applications.

He argued the mayor would still be bound by the same licensing objectives as councils, adding that issues in busy nightlife areas such as the West End were less about licensing rules and more about having enough police and resources to manage crowds and anti-social behaviour.

"There isn't really a huge amount of difference that the mayor taking on any more could make," he said.

Additional reporting by Lauren Stanley

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