Sadiq Khan urges government to help protect London pubs

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan

Sadiq Khan has called for a united front from the government, local authorities and the pub industry to help protect the future of London’s pubs.

New data released by the mayor of London found that pub numbers across the capital fell by 2.4 per cent in 2016/17, from 3,615 to 3,530.

To support the pub trade, the mayor is establishing more stringent planning requirements to help save pubs, appointing a night czar and establishing a ‘culture at risk’ office to help save pubs for communities.

However, Khan now wants the government, local authorities and the industry to follow his example and do what they can to play their role.

He felt that the government should review its valuation policy for pubs following large rises in business rates, which were saddling pub owners with soaring bills.

Meanwhile, the mayor has also called on local authorities to use the tighter planning powers in his draft London Plan to support their local pubs.

In the mayor’s draft London Plan, Khan is urging boroughs to resist applications to redevelop beer gardens, ensure new residential developments near to pubs are suitably soundproofed so they can co-exist and support the building of new pubs.

The mayor will also be commissioning new research to help identify the full picture behind the falling numbers and give pubs more of the tools needed to help secure a more sustainable future.

“The traditional London pub has been at the heart of London’s communities for hundreds of years, but sadly they continue to face a long-term decline in numbers,” said the mayor of London.

“As mayor, I have made safeguarding and growing London’s night-time economy a priority, and am doing all I can to protect the capital’s iconic pubs.

“By creating the most pro-pub planning strategy the capital has ever seen, I’ve shown what can be done, and I want to see the government and local authorities match my ambition and help protect these key community hubs for generations to come.”