Night owls may apply

At last London is set to become a 24-hour city, that’s the word from City Hall as the mayoral office sets out to appoint a Night Czar for 24/7 living.

This announcement follows the introduction of the night tube on the Central and Victoria lines with 100,000 people using the service during its first weekend.

This take-up is of no surprise, demand for night-time travel is on the rise. Late night tube usage is increasing at double the rate of daytime trips and demand for travel on night buses has risen by over 170 per cent since 2000.

The new appointment emulates similar successful appointments in Amsterdam, Paris and Zurich and is part of the ongoing #LondonIsOpen strategy. This launched back in July with a remit to demonstrate to the world at large that London remains entrepreneurial, international, and full of creativity and possibility, while reassuring the more than one million foreign nationals who live in London that they will always be welcome.

Recent research shows that the night economy contributes £26.3bn to London’s annual GDP, equivalent to 40 per cent of the UK’s night-time economy. This figure is expected to rise to £28.3bn by 2029.

The Night Czar will act as an ambassador for London’s night time economy and will work with venues, local authorities, the Metropolitan Police, Transport for London and punters to ensure London works well as a 24-hour city.

The Night Czar is expected to set out a roadmap of how this vision will be delivered and will build on opportunities such as the Night Tube to diversify and grow London’s nighttime economy.

Night Mayors’ in other cities, such as Mirik Milan in Amsterdam, have combated anti-social behaviour and created a safer, more responsible nightlife for their residents. It is hoped that London’s Night Czar will be able to capitalise on the growth of the capital’s night economy.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said, “Building on our magnificent city’s diverse night time economy is one of my core priorities. Following the successful launch of the Night Tube, London’s night-time culture can now be enjoyed around the clock. I am delighted to begin my search for a Night Czar. Once appointed, we will work together with venues, authorities, developers and punters to ensure London thrives as a 24-hour-city."