London mayor candidate vows to protect the city's nightlife

If you want London's nightlife to survive the clutches of regeneration and gentrification, you should look into the policies of Sadiq Khan.

The Labour mayoral candidate has pledged to protect the city's cultural scene, vowing to introduce an 'Agent for Change' for clubs, pubs and live music venues "so new developments next to existing venues meet soundproofing costs."

In 2014, it was announced a housing development next to Ministry of Sound would be soundproofed so the south London venue could remain open problem-free.

Khan, up for election on May 5 to replace Boris Johnson, has also vowed to champion London as a 24-hour city, hoping to fast-track the long-delayed Night Tube.

He said: "I’ll act to stop the loss of live music venues, pubs and clubs through tougher protections in the London plan. I’ll appoint a Night Czar to lead the charge for London’s night time economy, and I’ll get the Night Tube open as quickly as possible. I will be a Mayor for all Londoners.”

Other aims in his manifesto are to produce a Cultural Infrastructure Plan for 2030, bulk up protection for pubs and small creative workspaces prone to being taken over by developers, increase London's tourist industry and support the art and fashion industries through Creative Enterprise Zones.

It'd be silly not to really, especially as the UK's night time industry is said to be worth £66 billion, as revealed by the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA).

The 'Manifesto for all Londoners' is being announced at an event in Canary Wharf, east London today.

Dave Turner is Mixmag's Digital News Editor, follow him on Twitter