London hiring: Khan seeks his night czar

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has made good on his promise to create a ‘night czar’ role to oversee London’s night-time economy and grassroots music venues and clubs.

City Hall this afternoon posted the official job description, which offers the successful applicant £35,000 per annum for 2.5 days a week, and is initially fixed-term for a year. Desirable qualities include a “proven leadership ability, public profile and convening power” and “thorough understanding of the night-time economy and the ability to work in a political environment”.

Khan vowed to make the cultural sector one of his “top priorities” following his election in May, and has recently been vocal in his support for Ben Lovett’s new venue, Omeara, and under-threat nightclub Fabric.

London’s small-venue scene, long in steep decline – an estimated 40% of grassroots music venues closed between 2004 and 2014 – is slowly recovering, reported IQ in June, with at least four new venues scheduled to open this year.

Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.

Read More Like This

News|20 Nov 2023

MSG reacts after London Sphere plans rejected

London mayor Sadiq Khan ruled the controversial scheme "would result in an unacceptable negative impact on local residents”

News|18 Mar 2024

Ruling announced for Manchester’s Night & Day

The iconic venue had been threatened with closure since 2021 due to ongoing noise disputes

News|01 Dec 2023

Another chance for MSG’s London Sphere?

Less than two weeks after the Major of London rejected proposals for the venue, Levelling-up secretary Michael Gove has stepped in...

News|15 Dec 2023

Tait to open central London base

The Providence Equity-backed firm designs and supplies concert touring infrastructure for some of the world’s biggest acts

News|28 Mar 2024

DLT Presents plans ‘all-inclusive’ London fest

The 15,000-capacity event will take place in Gunnersbury Park, with live music, unlimited food & drinks and more included in the ticket price