Campaigners are fighting a proposal to curb late opening hours which they say threatens to ruin nightlife in London’s famous “hipster capitals”.
Hackney council is considering plans to restrict all new bars and clubs in Dalston and Shoreditch to closing at 11pm on weekdays, midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and 10.30pm on Sundays.
It aims to limit the “cumulative impact” of venues on “anti-social behaviour, public nuisance, crime and noise”. But campaign group We Love Hackney today said the plan was an attack on the borough’s “social fabric”, while Night Czar Amy Lamé suggested it would damage the night-time economy.
We Love Hackney warned it would lead to “stagnation of the economy and put Shoreditch’s reputation for fun, innovative and diverse venues at risk”. Alan Miller, a supporter of the group and chairman of the Night Time Industry Association, said: “Residents want nightlife. They love to live, work and play here.”
“We have a 24-hour vision for this city, with the Night Tube and a Licensing Act that allows for 24 hours, but Hackney seem to be jettisoning that. Why is it that in Paris and Berlin you can dance at a certain time, but not here? Nightlife is part of Hackney’s social fabric, it’s what made Hackney so brilliant.”
Ms Lamé said the Labour-run council’s plan could contradict Sadiq Khan’s vision of a 24-hour capital. “Shoreditch is an amazing place to go out,” she added. “I’ve met council leaders, residents and revellers and I know everyone wants the night-time economy to thrive in a sustainable way. However businesses are already having to deal with increasing rates and a night-time levy, so it’s vital that Hackney council takes these pressures into account.”
The new proposals come after a previous consultation in 2015 was defeated by opposition. Hackney also wants to double the size of the Shoreditch special policy area, which makes it harder for venues to open as they must prove they will not add to the “cumulative impact” of anti-social behaviour or noise.
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There would also be a 10pm curfew on licensed outdoor activities. The plans were criticised by Philip Kolvin QC, who chaired Mr Khan’s Night Time Commission until he quit last week claiming City Hall had not given him enough independence or support. Mr Kolvin, a licensing expert credited with helping to saving Fabric nightclub from closure, said the proposals would “stymie the night-time economy”.
The latest consultation ended on Friday. Emma Plouviez, Hackney’s licensing chairwoman, said: “These proposed changes do not mean we won’t grant new licences or that it will affect existing licences. Every new application will be considered on its merits.
“The night-time economy has a great reputation we will continue to support ... but we need to strike a balance be-tween promoting a great cultural offer whilst ensuring residents can get a good night’s sleep and streets and public areas are safer in the early hours.”