London’s mayor can now make the final decision on licensing applications of strategic importance, after a new call-in power began on 3 November. It is the first time a UK mayor can decide a licensing application directly. The power covers large venues, live music, later opening hours and major events across the capital, and a London-wide licensing policy is due to follow.
Licensing decisions for pubs, bars, restaurants and clubs, which open on the strength of a premises licence and a personal licence, are normally taken locally. The new power, granted by the Government, lets the Mayor of London step in after a local decision and decide whether to approve an application judged to matter to the capital.
Propel reported the change in its 5 November briefing under the headline that the mayor gains new powers over venue licences. The announcement came from City Hall, which puts the value of London’s nightlife at more than £21 billion a year and says the sector has faced inconsistent rules and complex processes.
How the call-in power works
Applications that can be called in are those of strategic importance to London’s economy and its reputation as a global city. City Hall gives four examples: large venues, live music, later opening hours, and major events and festivals. The mayor acts after the local licensing decision has been made, and then decides whether the application is approved. City Hall describes this as the first time a mayor anywhere in the UK has been able to take such a decision directly, and says safety and the protection of local communities remain central to licensing.
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A London-wide policy is the next step
The mayor will shortly consider responses to a consultation on his draft London-wide Strategic Licensing Policy. It was published earlier this year to create a licensing system that is consistent across London and supportive of culture, hospitality, events and nightlife. Once the responses have been considered, he will set out his first strategic licensing policy for the city. The policy follows recommendations from an independent nightlife taskforce, which reported earlier this year across 10 areas.
Good to know
The call-in power is specific to London. The strategic licensing policy is still at the stage of consultation responses being considered, so its final content has not been published.
The political backing
Sadiq Khan marked the start of the power with a visit to the Blue Note venue alongside Angela Rayner, the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government. The mayor called the moment “a new era for London’s nightlife” and linked it to his London Growth Plan, which he runs in partnership with London Councils.
What it means for multi-site operators
Restaurant, pub and venue groups with London sites already deal with local licensing decisions. The call-in route adds a second layer for applications that meet the strategic test, and the forthcoming policy is meant to make licensing more consistent.
Operators with sites outside the capital are not affected by the call-in power, which applies to London only. City Hall has not published how the strategic test will be applied in individual cases.
