London’s Night Czar, Amy Lamé, has been criticized for her claims that London is a “24-hour city” during an interview with BBC Politics London. Lamé believes that she has fulfilled her duty by “helping London thrive as a 24-hour city” since 2016, as tasked by Mayor Sadiq Khan. She believes that the city’s 1.3 million workers, who hold crucial jobs such as working for the NHS, driving buses, and stocking shelves, make London a truly 24-hour city.
However, Lamé has been facing backlash due to reports that the city’s nightlife has declined significantly since the pandemic. The Sunday Times reported that cities such as Liverpool and Birmingham have overtaken London in nightlife transactions. Criticism towards Lamé’s tenure as Night Czar has been increasing as a result.
In response to Lamé’s claims, Twitter users have expressed their disagreement. Many have stated that they have never felt more politically gaslit than being told that London is a 24-hour city. One Twitter user stated that anyone who claimed London was a 24-hour city had probably never been out in the city before.
Furthermore, one Twitter user highlighted that in 2018, councillors approved a licensing policy for new venues in Hackney that requires them to follow “core” closing hours. The policy mandates a midnight curfew on weekends and an 11:00 pm curfew on weekdays. These times can only be extended if the licensee can prove that their venue will not cause disruption in the neighborhood.
Despite the criticisms, Mayor Sadiq Khan shared Lamé’s interview on Twitter with the caption: “London is leading the world in its 24-hour policy, with other global cities looking to us for inspiration.” However, London’s claim as a 24-hour city is questionable following recent reports and public opinion
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