Mayor of London taskforce creates "rescue plan" for music venues

A taskforce for the Mayor of London has written up a "rescue plan" for grassroots music venues in the city.

Off the back of venue closures in the capital this year, such as Crucifix Lane and Plastic People, the Mayor's Music Venues Taskforce has compiled a report aimed at maintaining "grassroots venues", sparking the idea for there to be a Night Mayor, who would work in liaison with various individuals to ensure nightlife can run smoothly.

The London's Grassroots Music Venues Rescue Plan reads: A Night Mayor for London would champion the night-time economy. They would bring together night-time businesses, local authorities and the emergency services to ensure that night-time activity can thrive.

"The Night Mayor would also review and implement strategies to minimise the risks of nuisance, anti-social behaviour or crime. This person would help to take forward the recommendations in this report and would chair the Music Development Board."

The Music Development Board would take care of "developing the potential of grassroots music venues" in London, while recommendations for developers and venues are included, referencing the situation of Ministry of Sound when it was faced with potential noise complaints due to a new residential building being erected in close proximity.

It follows a BBC report that found the number of clubs in the UK has almost halved in the last 10 years and The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) revealing the nighttime economy is worth £66 billion.

Read the full report here.