From 3 November Sadiq Khan can call in Bromley Council licensing decisions on large venues, live music, later hours and festivals, and make the final ruling.

A licensing decision made by Bromley councillors is no longer always the last word. From today, Tuesday 3 November, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, can call in licensing applications he judges to be of strategic importance to London and decide them himself, after the borough has made its ruling.

City Hall says it is the first time a UK mayor has been able to make a direct decision on a licensing application. The power comes from the Government, and the Mayor’s office describes it as “a new era for London’s nightlife”.

Which Bromley cases it could touch

The Mayor can step in “following local licensing decisions”, the Mayor’s office said, on applications that can be defined as strategically important for London’s economy and reputation as a global city. The examples it gives are:

  • large venues
  • live music
  • later opening hours
  • major events and festivals

Applications also have to meet criteria set by the Government. City Hall has not said how often it expects to use the power or named any case it has in mind.

In Bromley, licence applications that draw objections go to the council’s Licensing Sub-Committee, which heard the Chislehurst High Street mini mart case in October. Hearings like that one carry on as before. What changes is that, for the kinds of case listed above, City Hall can now take the decision on after the sub-committee has ruled.

What else City Hall now does

The call-in is the latest of several licensing roles the Government has given the Mayor and City Hall. The release lists them:

  • Every application: City Hall receives all licensing applications in London and can make formal representations to a borough’s Licensing Committee, as residents, police and other bodies already can.
  • Borough policies: councils, Bromley included, must consult the Mayor when they revise their licensing policies.
  • A London-wide policy: the Mayor must publish London’s first Strategic Licensing Policy, meant to make the licensing system “consistent and supportive of London’s culture, hospitality, events and nightlife”.

A draft of that London-wide policy went out to public consultation earlier this year. The Mayor’s office says he will “shortly” formally consider the responses and set his final policy later this year.

What does not change

The Mayor’s office stresses that “keeping people safe and protecting local communities will remain at the heart of licensing”. According to the notes with its release:

  • the four licensing objectives stay the same: preventing crime and disorder, public safety, preventing public nuisance and protecting children from harm
  • residents will still be able to have their say on applications
  • the impact on different communities will still be considered
  • rights of appeal remain in place

The case City Hall is making

London’s nightlife contributes more than £21bn to the capital each year, the Mayor’s office says, but has faced “a huge number of challenges in recent years, including inconsistent licensing rules and complex processes”.

Sadiq Khan said: “Today is a hugely significant moment and marks the beginning of a new era for London’s nightlife.

“As Mayor I have always tried to be pro-jobs and pro-business and I’m determined to build on this. These new licensing powers create an opportunity to further champion London’s amazing venues, particularly our hospitality industry.

“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, allowing me to back the venues that make our high streets and communities thrive and help cement our city’s nightlife reputation, while keeping people safe and listening to communities.

“I’m looking forward to setting a new direction for our capital’s life at night, creating a more strategic and consistent approach to licensing.”

The Mayor marked the change with a visit to a music venue alongside Angela Rayner, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. She said: “Nightlife is about so much more than a good night out. The musicians on stage, the staff behind the bar, the small businesses that depend on them: that’s jobs, that’s growth, and a big part of what makes London the world-famous city it is.

“So, we’re giving the Mayor of London historic new powers over licensing decisions that have the biggest impact on the capital. It’s about backing the venues and events that keep London buzzing.”

What the trade bodies say

Kate Nicholls, chair of UKHospitality, said the sector already employs half a million Londoners. “I was pleased to lead the Government’s licensing sprint which recommended these changes and it’s encouraging that some of the most significant are being introduced so swiftly,” she said.

Mark Davyd, founder and chief executive of the Music Venue Trust, called it “a significant step forward for live music across the capital, offering the opportunity for a consistent, robust, and constructive licensing process.”

Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, said: “For too long, outdated and fragmented licensing processes have held back investment, innovation and growth across the capital’s night-time economy. The Mayor’s new powers offer a real opportunity to restore confidence, protect our cultural infrastructure and unlock the potential of a sector that is vital to London’s economy, identity and global reputation.”

Bromley’s high streets and the Growth Plan

City Hall ties the change to the London Growth Plan, drawn up with London Councils, the body that represents the boroughs. The Mayor’s office also points to nearly £500,000 put into dining and events through his Summer Streets Fund this year, and to an independent Nightlife Taskforce that set recommendations across 10 areas earlier this year.

For pubs, venues and event organisers in Bromley, Beckenham, Orpington and the rest of the borough, the practical point is that an application turned down, or cut back, by the council in one of the listed categories could now be looked at again by City Hall. For residents who object to an application, the council hearing is still where their case is heard.

If the Mayor calls in a licensing decision from Bromley, Bromley Online will report it. Tell us about one at newsdesk@bromleyonline.co.uk.