New nightlife zones may be created in the heart of London to try and make the city more lively and welcoming at night.
Oxford Street, the Strand and Victoria could be transformed in the coming years under new plans put forward by Westminster City Council.
The council believes the new “After Dark Opportunity Areas” each have their own character and potential and hopes to use planning and licensing policies as well as improving public realm features in the area to boost the busy districts.
The new measures come amid concerns that the capital’s nightlife is being suffocated by spiralling costs, NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) neighbours and strict licensing conditions.
Last year, leaders from London’s nightlife industry said venues were being pushed to the brink, warning that the West End’s evening and night-time economy is underperforming since the pandemic.
Under the plans, Westminster City Council believes that Oxford Street could “evolve into a nighttime destination” thanks to its flagship stores and close links to Soho and Mayfair, while there is an opportunity to build on the late-night offerings already in the Strand, thanks to the success of Somerset House, the Courtauld Gallery and nearby West End theatres.
The council also believes Victoria has the potential to become a nightlife area thanks to its excellent transport links.
Figures from Westminster City Council suggest that Londoners have been turning away from the city centre during the evenings.
Roughly 21,000 people visited Westminster at night in May 2024, excluding international visitors, down from 25,000 visitors during the same period in 2023.
Westminster City Council now hopes its 15-year plan will make the city centre more lively and safe between 6pm and 6am each day.
Measures have been set out to protect cultural spaces, safeguard LGBTQ+ venues and to build stronger ties between businesses and local communities.
The council also hopes to improve what Westminster can offer at night by trying to support new music and performance venues as well as family-friendly event spaces in its libraries and archives.
It comes after the council approved plans for The Blue Note Jazz club, often dubbed “the world’s best jazz club,” to create a 350-seater venue in the basement of the St Martin's Lane hotel, open until 1am seven days a week.
Westminster also recently launched its first-ever evening market on Rupert Street in Soho this summer, lining the street with street food, vintage clothes and second-hand book stalls.
Further plans have been put forward by the council to make the city centre a safer place at night by expanding CCTV coverage and increasing the number of joint police and council patrols.
Over two-thirds of all crime that takes place in Westminster happens in the West End, council figures show.
Earlier this month, more than 140 people were arrested in a week-long crackdown on crime in the West End.
Over 100 Met Police officers were deployed to tackle offences including shoplifting and phone theft as part of Operation Baselife.
Nearly 47% of all violent crimes in Westminster take place in the West End and St James’s wards, with around 59% of these incidents occurring between 6pm and 6am.
Over 65% of sexual offences and 46% of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) incidents in Westminster take place in the same areas.
Councillor Aicha Less, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Public Protection, said: “Our commitment to a Fairer Westminster is at the heart of this strategy. People have told us they want safer streets, more choice when it comes to evening activities, and a city that feels welcoming for everyone.
“Alongside new cultural initiatives and support for local venues, we’re strengthening safety measures and ensuring growth is well-managed and genuinely benefits residents.”
Councillor Geoff Barraclough, Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development, added: “We’re investing in safer streets, supporting world-class nightlife, protecting LGBTQ+ venues, and creating new spaces for culture and community. Westminster After Dark gives people more to enjoy, more to discover, and more reasons to love Westminster after dark.”
