Mayor Gains Historic Power to Intervene in London Nightlife Licensing

Mayor Sadiq Khan marked 4 November 2026 as the start of a new era for London's nightlife as his historic licensing call-in powers came into force. The new powers, granted by the government, allow him to step in following local licensing decisions and choose whether to approve applications of strategic importance to London's economy and global reputation — including those for large venues, live music, later opening hours and major festivals. Rights of appeal remain in place, and keeping people safe and protecting local communities stays at the heart of the process.

The government had already given City Hall the right to be consulted when boroughs revise their licensing policies and to receive all licensing applications and submit formal representations. The call-in power goes a step further, allowing the Mayor to make a direct decision on individual applications for the first time in UK history.

London's nightlife contributes more than £21 billion to the capital each year, and the West End alone generates £55 billion annually for the UK economy. Earlier this year, the Mayor invested nearly £500,000 through his Summer Streets Fund to support al fresco dining and events across the city. He also established an independent Nightlife Taskforce, which set recommendations across ten areas to protect and grow the night-time economy.

A draft London-wide Strategic Licensing Policy was put out for public consultation earlier this year. The Mayor is reviewing responses before publishing a final policy later in 2026, aiming for a more consistent and supportive licensing framework across the capital. Khan visited Blue Note in London with Housing Secretary Angela Rayner to mark the occasion.