London Strategic Licensing Consultation

Hospitality, culture and nightlife are critical both to London’s success and to national economic growth. Our city’s hospitality industry generates over £46 billion annually, and accounts for one in ten London jobs.

Places like pubs, restaurants, clubs, music venues and cultural spaces must apply for licences to sell alcohol, play music or serve food at night.

Many businesses see the current licensing system as inconsistent, lacking transparency and weighted toward objections, rather than the benefits of a thriving nighttime and cultural sector.

Boroughs find it hard to administer the current system with limited resources because it's so complex.

Addressing these issues will create opportunities for our nightlife, culture and hospitality to flourish, including through later opening hours.

The Mayor is drafting a London-wide licensing policy to tackle the challenges faced by boroughs and businesses. The policy complements the London Plan, and would help deliver on the Mayor's vision for a safer, more vibrant and prosperous city. It aims to:

• increase economic growth in hospitality, culture, events and nightlife, while ensuring safe and inclusive environments
• boost London’s reputation as a destination for tourism, business and investment
• improve the quality, transparency and use of data and information to inform licensing decision making.

As part of wider plans to protect and support pubs, clubs, cultural spaces and music venues, the Mayor intends to pilot new strategic licensing powers in London. The Strategic Licensing Pilot is intended to start in summer 2026, and the Greater London Authority intends to review it after two years.

The London pilot would inform the Government’s reforms to the national licensing system, which aim to deliver a more consistent, transparent and pro-growth licensing system across England. Before the pilot starts, the Mayor is consulting with boroughs, industry, Londoners and other key stakeholders.