Amy Lamé: London’s ‘night czar’ to quit role

London’s “night czar” Amy Lamé is to stand down from her role after eight years.

Lamé, who will quit at the end of the month, said she felt it was the right time to move on, adding that it had been “a real privilege to serve Londoners”.

The role was created by London Mayor Sadiq Khan following his election in 2016. He and Lamé – whose salary rose to £132,846 this year – have faced questions about her record in boosting London’s nightlife.

The mayor’s office credited her with having “supported hundreds of venues since 2016”.

Questions have been raised about whether Lamé had the necessary powers to make a meaningful difference to London’s nightlife, particularly given that licensing decisions remain in the hands of borough councils.

The mayor’s office said Lamé had been “instrumental in reopening Fabric, protecting the 100 Club, securing the future of Printworks, securing the reopening of the Black Cap after 10 years of closure, and enabling Drumsheds to open, amongst others”.

It also pointed to her £500,000 Night Time Enterprise Zones programme – a scheme aimed at boosting the night-time economy in selected town centres – and with launching the Women’s Night Safety Charter, which strives “to put women’s safety at the heart of night-time businesses and organisations”.

Khan said: “I’d like to thank Amy for everything that she’s done as the capital’s first-ever night czar.

“She has worked hard to help London’s nightlife through huge challenges, including the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis, and I know she will continue to be a key part of the industry going forward.”

Lamé said: “It has been a huge honour to be London’s – and the UK’s – first-ever night czar, but after eight years I believe that it is the right time for me to move on.

“It has been a real privilege to serve Londoners and deliver for the mayor, and I’m deeply proud of what has been achieved in the face of so many challenges.”

It is unclear whether Lamé will be replaced as night czar.

A City Hall source said: “The forthcoming London Nightlife Taskforce will examine and address the issues facing the industries. Any decisions on the night czar role will be taken once they have completed their work.”