The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, today called for a united effort from government, local authorities and the pub industry to help protect the future of the capital’s pubs, as he released new figures showing that numbers continue their long-term decline across the capital.
The figures, published today, show that while pub numbers have increased in Hackney, City of London, Camden, Bexley, Greenwich, Hounslow and Lewisham, the numbers overall in London have fallen by 2.4 per cent, from 3,615 to 3,530.
Sadiq is doing everything within his powers to support the trade, including establishing more stringent planning requirements to help save pubs, appointing a Night Czar to champion London as a 24-hour city, and establishing a world-first “Culture at Risk” Office to help save pubs for communities. But today’s figures make it clear that more needs to be done and he has called for more support to help the capital’s pubs, which play such an important role in local communities.
The Mayor wants the Government, local authorities and the industry to follow his example and do what they can to play their role. This should start with the Government reviewing its valuation policy for pubs following large rises in business rates which are saddling pub owners with soaring bills. The Mayor wants to see the Government use its powers on planning, taxation and regulation to help support these vital community hubs.
