Bedtime blues: London ‘killing off nightlife’ as UK city with strictest licensing rules (opens original article in a new tab)

London's strict licensing rules in nightlife areas limit late-night openings, leading to concerns about declining nightlife, while other UK cities with more flexible policies experience growth in their after-hours scenes.

• London has strict core hours policies in nightlife districts that limit new bar and restaurant openings past 11pm on weeknights and midnight on weekends.
• Other UK cities like Manchester and Birmingham have more lenient rules, allowing licenses until 2am or later, contributing to a thriving nightlife.
• Experts argue London's restrictive policies are harming its nightlife, while some councils cite concerns over noise and crime as reasons for the restrictions.