Councils in the capital are being encouraged to embrace “popular and exciting” initiatives such as outdoor dining and extended hours, as outlined in a letter from two of London’s deputy mayors.

Justine Simons and Howard Dawber expressed their intention to enhance the economy and boost tourism in anticipation of a trial program that would provide Mayor Sadiq Khan with new strategic licensing capabilities.

Recently, London Councils, representing the city’s 32 boroughs, called for a renewed power-sharing framework with the mayor, seeking to establish a formal role in shaping the capital’s strategic initiatives.

Sacha Lord, chair of the Night Time Industries Association, remarked, “This seems to be positive news for London, and I hope other parts of the UK will take note.”

The deputy mayors for culture and business acknowledged that the hospitality industry is currently grappling with “substantial challenges,” yet they aim to optimize licensing policies for London.

Following the lifting of Covid restrictions in 2020-21, many areas in Soho saw a swift transformation, with traffic removed from numerous streets to accommodate outdoor tables and chairs.

Mr. Lord highlighted that outdoor spaces could be pivotal for the survival of restaurants and bars, particularly during sunny days, but lamented that “time and again, establishments are hindered by excessive bureaucracy and unnecessary delays.”

He encouraged venues to “take action now to capitalize on the summer,” noting that processing some of the licenses can take as long as a month.