Amy Lamé to step down as London's night czar

Amy Lamé is to step down as London’s night czar after eight years in the role.

She said it had been a “real privilege” to hold the position, but it was “the right time” to move on.

Lamé, who will resign at the end of the month, was the first person to take up the night czar role in 2016.

It was created by mayor of London Sadiq Khan to champion the capital’s late-night industries.

However, Lamé has faced criticism over her six-figure salary and whether she had any real power to help late-night bars and clubs with issues such as licensing.

Data from the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) found that 3,011 late-night businesses closed in London and its surrounding boroughs between March 2020 and December 2023 – the steepest fall for any English region.

Michael Kill, chief executive of the NTIA, said: "During Amy’s eight-year tenure, while there has been criticism, several achievements must be recognised. 

“Her work on women’s safety at night and the establishment of enterprise zones have been hugely beneficial for the sector.”

It is unclear if the night czar role will continue but Khan is set to create a London Nightlife Taskforce that will “examine and address the issues facing the industries”.

The mayor’s office credited Lamé with multiple achievements, including creating a £500,000 programme to establish the first ever Night Time Enterprise Zones in London.

She also launched the Women’s Night Safety Charter, which more than 2,600 venues signed to put women’s safety at the heart of their 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.”

Lamé will continue in the role until 31 October.