Wandsworth Council first in London to publish new night-time plan

Wandsworth Council is the first in London to publish a new night-time plan.

It outlines ways to transform the borough between 18:00 and 06:00, with a focus on safety, transport, night-time workers and entertainment.

A council spokesperson said changes were needed following the deaths of Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa in 2021.

Plans include better street lighting, night markets, businesses opening later and calming music at transport hubs.

It follows recommendations from the Greater London Authority (GLA) that all councils design a new night-time strategy.

Labour councillor Kemi Akinola, cabinet member for culture at Wandsworth Council, said: "We spoke to hundreds of people before finalising our strategy because we know that how you experience the night time depends on who and where you are."

Following the public consultation, locals said the main reasons they did not visit the Wandsworth Borough's town centres at night were due to feeling unsafe, poor lighting and a lack of activities.

The strategy states the authority must plan for an "inclusive and safe environment" for all residents, visitors and workers following the high-profile murders of Miss Everard, who was walking home to Brixton from Clapham Common in March 2021, and Miss Nessa, who was killed in Greenwich six months later.

The new strategy suggests creating an affordable or free annual night-time programme of events for each town centre, along with trialling night markets.

Evening childcare, such as night nurseries or in-house crèches, to help support night workers also make the list of ambitions.

The plans also suggest offering self-defence training and improving night-time outreach support for rough sleepers, people suffering with mental health problems and women fleeing domestic abuse.

Improving night-time transport, including more seating at transport hubs and providing specialist transport services for less mobile residents are also recommended.

As reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the council says it will now put together an action plan and work with partners including the Metropolitan Police, Transport for London (TfL), businesses and community groups to take the recommendations forward.

Amy Lamé, London's night czar, said: "Wandsworth is the first borough to publish their night-time strategy since the GLA's recommendation, and I hope this encourages other boroughs to follow their lead.

"The Mayor and I are committed to working in partnership with every borough to ensure our high streets, public spaces and workplaces are fair, safe and inclusive at night as we build a better more prosperous London for everyone."