London’s nightlife is struggling. Between the closing of numerous prominent clubs and the extreme rise in street violence, the UK’s once-vibrant capital is slowly dimming to a crawl. Typically, regional government appoints a manager or support group from its own ranks.


Fortunately for the city, the Night Time Taskforce emerged. Mayor Sadiq Khan commissioned VibeLab to research how to secure London’s clubbing scene and to investigate what the nightlife actually means to the city. They convened a group of insightful individuals and stakeholders to tackle these pressing issues.

Nadine Noor from Pxssy Palace vividly recalled starting parties from her own house. She wanted a safe space to party, where she could, together with other communities that needed safety, dance as she saw fit. That idea led to a party that eventually grew so large that safety couldn't be guaranteed. The core question remains: How can the city keep its nightlife safe and equitable?

Sam Spencer from Broadwick Live acknowledged these issues. As parties grow, so too do the visitor numbers, which alarms the London Authorities. The GLA (Greater London Authority) convened the task force to determine the best way to manage events in London.

Nathanael Williams from the Night Time Task Force remarked, “We had to figure out a new model that works for our city. Models that worked for cities like Berlin and Amsterdam just didn’t translate to London. We had to reevaluate what nightlife actually is, and what it isn’t.”


The group emphasized the importance of acting as a separate entity from the London government. They are provided with a set of boundaries and instructions, but the task force maintains its autonomy, drawing its own conclusions and plans rather than simply adhering to external demands.

“All of this is possible because the group is industry-based, instead of being comprised of law enforcers. We are able to use the numbers, instead of the numbers being used against us,” Spencer said. He offered a clear example: “Take ADE, where you can get from the airport into a rave within three hours. That’s a well-planned and serviced event.”

The entire panel concluded with the shared vision that London nightlife must be passed on to the next generation intact. “I think it’s our social responsibility to do so,” Spencer added. Driven by this social mission to revitalize London’s club scene for everyone, the Night Time Task Force is now singularly focused on making clubbing viable and safe for the future.