Council launches plan for evening and night-time in central London

Westminster City Council has launched its first ever Westminster After Dark Strategy and implementation plan to improve the city’s evening and night-time environment.  

• Enhanced safety measures including expanded CCTV, better lighting and greater protections for women and vulnerable individuals 
• Dedicated Late-Night Entertainment Zones to encourage new live music and entertainment venues to set up away from residential areas under new licensing framework 
• Improved accessibility and more family friendly or non-alcoholic activities 
• Support for LGBTQ+ venues 
• Improved night-time public spaces with amenities and inclusive design to create a welcoming environment for all.

The draft strategy, now open for public consultation, sets out a roadmap to ensure Westminster remains a world-class destination between 6pm and 6am, balancing a thriving economy with the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors. It focuses on measures to improve safety, protecting women and addresses concerns around anti-social behaviour to ultimately enhance the experience after dark for residents and businesses.

The city is home to many of London’s most famous attractions as well as the globally renowned West End and the council believes its new strategy will future-proof the evening and night-time environment - making central London safe, accessible, inclusive and more environmentally sustainable at night. 

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The strategy has been shaped by extensive public engagement, including feedback from residents, businesses, cultural institutions, and night-time workers.

With their input, the council has set out a series of proposals including: 

• Measures to reduce anti-social behaviour: Installing an extra 100 CCTV cameras, improved street lighting, and an expanded joint council and police unit to tackle anti-social behaviour and crime hotspots.  
• Creating Late-Night Entertainment Zones: Targeting areas such as Oxford Street, The Strand, and Victoria Street to foster live music, theatre, and creative venues while managing noise in residential communities. 
• Strengthening protections for women: Requiring all new licensed venues to assess and mitigate risks to women’s safety, with a zero-tolerance approach to harassment and predatory behaviour. Continue to deliver the council’s own Night Stars, who are a volunteering service set up to look after people on a night out in the West End 
• Sustaining Westminster’s LGBTQ+ venues: Prioritising support and protection for culturally significant LGBTQ+ spaces, ensuring they continue to thrive as safe and inclusive  
• Expanding late-night cultural and family-friendly offerings: Encouraging non-alcohol-led activities such as extended retail hours, night-time museum openings, creative workspaces, and community-led offers  
• Championing sensory-friendly and inclusive entertainment: Encouraging venues to host ‘quiet nights’ with reduced noise levels, dimmed lighting, and designated calm zones. 
• Pushing for better transport options: Lobbying Transport for London (TfL) to restore night bus services and expand safe, reliable transport options after dark. 
• Investing in skills and careers: Creating opportunities for residents to access training and employment in Westminster’s thriving hospitality, creative, and cultural industries.

As part of the consultation process, the Council is inviting further input from stakeholders to refine and strengthen the final strategy. 

Cllr Geoff Barraclough, Westminster City Council Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development, said: 

Westminster After Dark aims to balance the needs of a thriving evening and night-time offer with the wellbeing of the residents who call Westminster their home.

“This new strategy is our response to the obvious challenges of managing these competing demands. Following extensive engagement, Westminster After Dark explores how we will remain a welcoming, innovative, inclusive, and liveable city with something on offer for everyone.  

 “I know that many people feel passionately about this subject. Please get involved and respond to the consultation.

Cllr Aicha Less, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Public Protection, said:

“Westminster has long been a global hub of activity and culture, drawing visitors from around the world with its unique mix of history, entertainment, and innovation.

 

As the city continues to attract visitors and businesses to its vibrant evening and night-time scene, we are prioritising a safer night-time environment. We will help residents and visitors feel more secure with our measures tackling anti-social behaviour and improving women’s safety, which will boost economic opportunities for night-time venues.

 

“We want the strategy to enhance the city between 6pm and 6am as a welcoming, thriving, and resilient place for everyone.

Westminster’s Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) said:

We welcome the opportunity to be involved in shaping the future of Westminster after dark, and it’s right the council have plans to secure the future of the evening and night-time economy.

 

“The public consultation is now open until the end of June, and we hope there are many voices as possible contributing ideas and having their say to make Westminster an even better place for everyone.

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The consultation runs until Sunday 22 June 2025. Find out more about Westminster After Dark and have your say.