The UK recently called time on its antiquated drinking laws and pubs can now apply for a licence to stay open into the early hours. Now the London Assembly is urging museums and galleries to do likewise, with the aim of helping to help create a late-night culture that isn’t dependent on binge drinking and people vomiting on the pavement.
In order to promote the capital’s nighttime economy the Assembly has published recommendations that will get a ‘wider range of people’ into the city at night to promote ‘non-alcohol related activities.’ Such proposals are not new but have been given a heightened sense of urgency following the changes to drinking laws. The specific recommendation relating to cultural institutions is for, “London’s principle museums and galleries should stay open later in the evenings. We recommend that the LDA develop, promote and support an initiative to keep museums and galleries in areas that have a significant night-time economy open until 10pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.” Not for the first time, it seems the bureaucrats are one-step behind.
