Sadiq Khan’s night czar Amy Lamé will stand down from her role at City Hall after eight years in the job.
Ms Lamé, who will quit at the end of this month, said she felt it was “the right time” to “move on” but said it had been “a real privilege to serve Londoners”.
The night czar - a new role created by Mr Khan following his election as mayor in 2016 - had attracted anger from critics who said she was failing to stem the closure of nightlife venues across the capital.
Questions had also been raised about the size of her salary, which rose this year to £132,846, and whether she 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.
It is unclear whether Ms Lamé will be replaced with a new 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.”
The mayor’s office credited Ms Lamé for having “supported hundreds of venues since 2016” and for being “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”.
They also pointed to her £500,000 Night Time Enterprise Zones programme - a scheme aimed at boosting the night 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”.
Mr 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.”
Ms 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.
“Boroughs are planning for life at night for the first time with dedicated night time strategies, the innovative Women’s Night Safety Charter has ensured thousands of organisations prioritise the safety of women, the Agent of Change is protecting venues from development, four in five of London’s night workers are receiving the London Living Wage and I’ve worked alongside hundreds of venues to support them in their hours of need.
“Cities across the UK and the world have created their own champions for life at night in recent years, and it’s been inspiring to work alongside them.
“Despite the ongoing challenges that it faces, I know that London’s life at night will continue to evolve and I look forward to seeing the work that has already started to deliver the mayor’s manifesto pledges, as I begin my next chapter.”
