Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Gilkes said: “Finding sites is the biggest limiting factor in London. Sites are changing hands for crazy money. Most of our deals so far have been done off market – by the time a site is listed by an agent, it’s too late. At the same time, councils want fewer licenced premises because they’re seen as more trouble.”
Inception group business development Robin Kay had previously said that secrecy around new spaces was ‘rampant.’
Night Time Industries Association chairman Alan Miller also expressed his concerns about the impact of restrictive councils on the night time economy. He told the Publican’s Morning Advertiser: “We need to have a national like-minded approach to the value of the NTE. That means national politicians, local authorities, police forces and urban planners all being on the same page in terms of the value provided.
“It is not just economic value. The cultural contribution, the new trends and developments from music, fashion and the arts all are sparked in the night time. No post war British phenomenon is imaginable, from The Beatles to Wiley today without bars, clubs, festivals & dance floors - it is where the next thing is being hatched right now.
“The Night Time Industries need to be placed firmly at the centre of economic strategies for cities and the UK and to be used by the UK internationally and at home to promote this country's incredible offering. Stop penalising and start promoting the Night Time Industries.”
The Inception Group will open its second Mr.Foggs site in the heart of London’s Theatreland later this year.