ALMR claims all-night Tube will benefit late-night sector

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has welcomed the opening of London’s Night Tube service, claiming it will provide a boost to clubs and bars.

The service, which starts this Friday, will run on the Central and Victoria lines before being rolled out across other parts of the London Underground.

Chief executive of the ALMR, Kate Nicholls, said she was pleased that it had finally been introduced after years of delays and setbacks - stating it would be an 'asset' to the licensed hospitality sector in the capital. 

The Night Tube was originally planned for September 2015 - having been mooted by the-then Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, for some years - but due to RMT strike action, it was put on hold for an indefinite period. Then, in March this year, it was announced that it would be up-and-running by this summer.

She said: “London is regarded as one of the world’s true 24-hour cities and an all-night tube service will give customers much improved access to some of the capital’s best nightspots. We want to see late-night pubs and bars thriving and full of customers.

"The service will open up the night-time economy to more customers than ever and will give London a valuable economic and social boost. A recent study by London First showed that the Night Tube could be worth £77million per year by 2029 bringing the value of the capital’s 24 hour economy up to nearly £30billion per year."

“The Night Tube will also make life much easier for the many thousands of people who work in the late-night economy.

"Bar and nightclub staff have arguably been overlooked during the discussions regarding the introduction of the service, but an all-night service will travel much easier for those industrious members of staff who work throughout the night.”