- Night czar’s call for support.
- Debate over nighttime economy.
- VAT-free purchases for tourists.
London’s night czar is urging citizens to support and appreciate the city’s night-time economy in the additional hour that the resetting of the clocks will provide.
Additionally, Amy Lamé advised Londoners to take advantage of the city’s diverse nightlife in the days leading up to Christmas.
Liberal Democrat municipal candidate Rob Blackie, on the other hand, predicted that individuals would “likely spend the extra hour in bed.”
She wants VAT-free purchases for non-EU visitors, while the government says it has helped this industry.
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She further stated, “We are fully dedicated to offering our assistance in order to contribute to the development of a more prosperous London for all. However, ministers must act swiftly to provide the necessary support so that these critical businesses can capitalise on the advantages of the golden quarter.”
Businesses’ revenues surge during the golden quarter, between October and December, as the holidays approach.
Additionally, the trade association UK Hospitality has expressed apprehensions regarding the sector’s capacity to meet demand in light of personnel shortages, rising operating expenses, precarious leases, and licencing complications.
Debate on Nighttime Economy
Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have criticised her position and endeavours to stimulate the nighttime economy.
Business owners have told me they don’t see any help from the night czar,” commented Mr. Blackie.
Our increasingly early closing and family unfriendly licencing laws threaten to make us look dour compared to other European cities.
Mr. Blackie said that some councils told him late licences were no longer usual.
Ms. Lame called for 4am licences at Soho venues Here and The Lower Third on X, formerly Twitter.
“Nightlife is being demolished.”
Other detractors of Ms. Lamé opined that greater efforts were required to bolster the nightlife in London.
Susan Hall, the candidate for mayor of the Conservative Party, stated, “Sadiq Khan has paid his ally close to £120,000 annually to do nothing but observe the destruction of our city’s entertainment.
We cannot continue to permit our locations, bars, clubs, and restaurants to be let down in this manner.
She has advocated for the implementation of targeted policies to resolve the matter.
Ms. Lamé, who has held this position since 2016, is compensated nearly £117,000.
Call for VAT-Free Tourism
To attract international visitors, she desires that the government reinstate VAT-free purchasing in her capacity as night czar.
Non-EU visitors to the UK can obtain VAT refunds on pre-January 2021 purchases by showing the receipt at the airport.
The government terminated the VAT refund programme following the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, claiming it was “an expensive relief that did not benefit the entire nation equally.”
The government is providing 75% of business rates relief to nighttime industry businesses, suspending alcohol duty rates, and reducing employer national insurance, according to a government spokesperson.
The number of visitors visiting London increased by over one million during the three months leading up to June.
This, according to City Hall, was the result of a surge in attendance at live music performances and cinema sales.
Over 150,000 Night Tube entrances and departures happened over the weekend of October 14-15, according to TfL ridership data.
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