Business Friendly Licensing
To ensure businesses could operate within the ever-changing restrictions of the pandemic, licensing, regulation and business support teams had to work together in new ways. This resulted in innovative ways of working and successful partnerships between local authority regulation, regeneration and economic development teams, as well as high street businesses, the police, the GLA and other partners.
With the additional pressures of the cost of living crisis, rising inflation and the cost of energy, a business friendly approach is more important now than ever to protect high streets and local economies.
Business Friendly Licensing and Regulation Fund
In 2022, as part of the London Recovery Programme, the Greater London Authority commissioned research into business-friendly licensing and regulation practices.
The research identified seven key ways that council licensing and regulation services, in partnership with their economic development teams, can support businesses.
Following the research, the GLA provided grant funding to five boroughs to trial innovative business friendly initiatives that could be adopted or expanded by other London boroughs. These projects proved successful in supporting businesses.
Funded projects
The GLA made a small fund available to boroughs in 2022 and 2023 to support projects that make licensing processes more business friendly and help the local economy to thrive.
Projects had a focus on nightlife, hospitality, culture and other licensed high street businesses such as retail, health, beauty or leisure that operate after 6pm.
Across the two years, the total fund value is £185,000, with match funding provided by the successful boroughs.
Projects funded in round one
Develop a business-friendly licensing policy alongside a dedicated night time strategy, both of which will balance the needs of the licensing authority, residents and businesses. Also develop free and clear online guidance for those applying for a licence.
Partnered with Jan Kattein Architects and collaborated with local businesses
to improve outdoor trading and make Ashfield Parade in Southgate more welcoming. Achieved through a new local business forum, regular community events and small-scale streetscape enhancements to create a more attractive and equitable public realm.
Using the Open Markets platform to attract new trader applications for any market location in the borough, as well as creation of new night market activity.
Streamlining online licensing information to make the process simpler for businesses, including dedicated pre-application support surgeries. Pre-licensing of space in the town centre for a range of activities.
Roll-out of Wings, a rider-owned food delivery platform, to new areas of borough,leading to increased standards of conduct amongst riders, higher rider welfare and lower levels of complaints in relation to delivery services.
Projects funded in round two
Extending the Hackney Nights portal to help businesses better respond to regulatory challenges, such as noise complaints and incoming development.
A series of night markets and evening events to increase post-6pm activity in Mitcham town centre. Supporting traders with pre-application support. Working with local businesses to extend opening hours on event days.
A series of citizens' assemblies that will gather evidence to inform the development of a night time strategy. Working with residents, businesses and visitors to develop policy that will balance the needs of everyone who uses the borough at night.
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