The Conservative Party has committed to a review of the nighttime economy in England, which will include overhauling licensing laws and planning rules.
A review of licensing laws and planning rules aimed at boosting pubs, restaurants and music venues would be launched in the first 100 days of a new Conservative government, the party has promised.
Ministers would look at ways to “crack down” on councils setting “disproportionate conditions and restrictions on licences” in a bid to cut red tape for businesses in the sector, the Tories said.
The party will cut red tape “unnecessarily holding back growth and adding operating costs for businesses”, and consider creating a ministerial position for the sector.
They would “protect” music venues, they added, by strengthening the enforcement of the “agent of change” planning principle, which requires developers who build near an existing venue to pay for their own sound proofing.
Conservative small business minister Kevin Hollinrake said his party had “always supported our night-time economy, with business rates reliefs, economic support during the pandemic”.
“We’ll continue to back our night-time economy - Labour would cripple it further with higher taxes and more burdensome regulation.”
Labour said the prime minister “simply has no answers to the problems facing the country”.
“After 14 years in power, Rishi Sunak’s offer to voters is ‘a review’,” a spokesperson said.
“On the Tories’ watch, ‘night fever’ is dead. Nightclubs, venues and music festivals have shut in their droves, and thousands of pub landlords have pulled their last pint.”
Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), said the body had seen a “considerable amount of broad brush commitments” in manifestos from all political parties, and was “frustrated by the lack of detail and substance”.
He said it was “encouraging to see that the Conservatives have listened to our recent call for more detail”, but warned the night-time industry, which employs more than two million people, “needs these commitments and more”.
“Without doubt we need the new government to re-evaluate our licensing and planning systems, removing red tape and unnecessary regulatory burdens, and moving towards a system that is proportionate, fair, and consistent,” he added.
Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, said: “The nighttime economy is the beating heart of our vibrant nightlife in the UK. A comprehensive review to ensure it’s firing on all cylinders is a positive and much-needed commitment for hospitality businesses.
“Addressing the challenges of planning, licensing and other red tape is essential and, alongside reducing the burden of business rates on hospitality businesses, will allow the sector to drive growth, attract visitors and create places where people want to live, work and invest.
“This review would complement my recommendation as chair of London’s Night Time Commission to develop a holistic approach between government, local authorities and regulatory bodies to build a vibrant and diverse nighttime economy.”
Kate Nicholls was chair of London’s Night Time Commission, where she led the groundbreaking ‘Think Night’ report into London’s nightlife.
