Sadiq Khan launches £500k scheme to boost night time high streets
Extra funding follows after the Night Time Enterprise Zone pilot in Waltham Forest in 2019 was successful.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced a new £500,000 programme to create Night Time Enterprise Zones in London to help support economic recovery.
The programme will allow boroughs to encourage more people to use their high streets after 6pm and to increase the number of night workers that benefit from good working standards.
The extra funding follows the successful Night Time Enterprise Zone pilot in Waltham Forest back in 2019. The programme extended opening times, events, increased promotion and repurposing council-owned buildings helped to increase footfall on Walthamstow High Street by 22%, which improved safety and widened local participation.
The programme is in partnership with the London Economic Action Partnership and will create at least three zones across London where boroughs will work with businesses and local communities.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “Our Night Time Enterprise Zone pilot showed what is possible for our town centres at night and, by expanding the zones to more areas, we will help local authorities and businesses make their high streets more welcoming and inclusive after 6pm.”
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality and former chair of the London Night Time Commission, welcomed the news and added: “I’m delighted today’s announcement from the mayor builds on one of the key recommendations of the London Night Time Commission’s Think Night Report.
“A diverse and vibrant night time offer, rooted in the local community, is something the commission recognised as being essential in ensuring our high streets are seen as attractive destinations for everyone after 6pm.”
