IoL urges clarity, collaboration and proportionality in London licensing pilot

The Institute of Licensing has welcomed the overall direction of the proposed London Strategic Licensing Pilot, saying it supports “good regulation which delivers its core aims while minimising burdens on all parties.” It agrees that all intended outcomes are important, particularly the need for clearer, more proportionate and evidence‑led licensing decisions.

A central concern is the lack of clarity around the Mayor’s proposed call‑in powers. The IoL notes that the consultation does not explain how appeals would work if the Mayor overturns a local authority decision, stating that “this is not currently clear within the consultation.” It also highlights gaps in the criteria for strategic applications, including the exclusion of premises in fee bands A–C and the absence of any reference to provisional statements.

The IoL strongly supports closer alignment between licensing and planning, describing licensing as an “enabling place management tool.” It urges more consistent early engagement from responsible authorities to avoid late objections and improve certainty for businesses. The organisation also backs the Greater London Authority becoming a Responsible Authority, saying this would ensure early awareness of applications and help avoid conflicting policy positions.

The response encourages the GLA to incorporate the Partnership Charter for the Night Time Economy, which promotes collaboration, safety, inclusivity and sustainability. The IoL says these principles mirror the draft policy and reflect good practice already seen across the UK.

On evidence and data, the IoL calls for more detailed, contextualised information, including verified noise complaint data, police incident data with methodology, and a balanced register of licensing inspections showing both positive and negative outcomes. It notes that “negative compliance issues are often highlighted without context,” which can distort understanding of sector performance.

The IoL also points out that the draft policy makes “little reference to local residents,” despite their integral role in the licensing process, and suggests clearer guidance for residents on how to engage with applications.

Overall, the IoL says the draft policy “broadly reflects existing best practice” but stresses that consistent application and enforcement will be crucial. It offers to support the development and review of the pilot as it progresses.