London night czar Amy Lamé has defended herself against criticism of her £117,000 salary and record in protecting the capital’s nightlife.
Writing in The Independent, she said London is the “best 24-hour city in the world”, due to more than 1.3m Londoners working at night, keeping the capital’s economy active 24/7.
It comes as Mayor Sadiq Khan hailed his Night Time Enterprise Zones programme as having “dramatically” boosted high street spending in three London neighbourhoods.
The £500,000 scheme saw grants awarded to projects in three boroughs, with City Hall reporting spending between 6pm and 9pm in the zones increased by 70% in Bromley, 31% in Vauxhall and 63% in Woolwich, compared with the same dates in 2022.
Lamé was forced on the defensive after coming under fire in the national press for her generous remuneration, frequent overseas travel, but lack of meaningful impact in boosting the nighttime economy.
She referred to her record running club night, Duckie, at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern for three decades, saying she “earned [her] stripes on the night-time frontline in a city that never sleeps”.
Appointed by Sadiq Khan in 2016, she said she was proud to have “one of the best and most important jobs in London”.
Lamé also acknowledged the “huge challenges” facing the night time economy, due to the ongoing impact of the pandemic, Brexit, the cost-of-living crisis, rising rents and business rates, and staffing shortages.
“I’ve been working closely with businesses, venues, boroughs and Londoners to support them throughout these challenges, and I’m delighted that London’s hospitality industry sales outpaced the rest of the UK last year.”
She said the difficulties facing nightclubs are “manifold, and not confined to London”, citing the problems facing Rekom UK.
Lamé said she had stepped in to help save The 100 Club on Oxford Street, and was involved in the development of new openings such as the Outernet immersive art project on Tottenham Court Road.
She also cited her role in keeping the doors open at Fabric, Ministry of Sound, Egg and Fire – but was criticised in the comments for mentioning her role in supporting iconic club G-A-Y as a win, despite its recent closure.
“I am so proud that we are leading the world in 24-hour policy, with other global cities looking to London for inspiration,” she added. “Our life at night is the beating heart of our capital city. In my role, I will continue to do all I can to promote this, as we build a better London for all.”
