Islington Council is exploring ways to boost its night-time economy, focusing on culture, creativity, and inclusivity.

The Licensing Committee met on 13 November 2025, to discuss strategies for supporting and growing Islington's experience economy, which includes live music, theatre, food and beverage offerings, and the cultural and creative scene. The council recognises that licensing, planning and other regulatory requirements can present barriers to growth for businesses in the cultural and creative sectors, which are part of Islington's experience economy.

The council recognises the importance of the night-time and experience economy, with areas like Angel, Clerkenwell, and Arsenal identified as having significant visitor appeal and growth potential. The Public Reports Pack identifies clusters of experience economy activity in:

  • Angel: known for live music, theatre, canalside pubs and pre-theatre dining offers
  • Clerkenwell: home to high-end restaurants, bars, clubs and a host of architecture and design practices who host Clerkenwell Design Week each summer. With Bunhill a major NTE hotspot after midnight.
  • Finsbury Park: highlighted in Islington's Local Plan as a night-time economy hotspot, its varied food offer and wealth of independent businesses is representative of Islington's diverse communities.
  • Archway: designated a Creative Enterprise Zone by the Mayor of London in 2023, and home to a cluster of grassroots organisations including fine artists, performing arts, digital creatives, and freelancers of all stripes.
  • Arsenal: always a destination, but the popularity of the women's game is driving up its significance to a wider and newer audience.
  • Brewery Road: home to successful production organisations such as Big Sky Studios.

Islington is home to 14 National Portfolio Organisations and the 'traditional' creative economy attracts £81m per year into the borough, employing 18,000 people.

The council recognises barriers to growth, including skills shortages, difficulty securing affordable space, lack of access to local networks, and regulatory barriers, especially for night-time economy businesses. To combat skills shortages, the council plans to implement a creative internships programme to support recruitment pathways.

With approximately 2,000 food businesses, 1,400 licensed premises selling alcohol, and 214 'cultural' organisations, Islington is exploring opportunities to support and grow its experience economy through:

  • Non-alcohol events and early evening activations to encourage outdoor dining
  • A Finsbury Park NTE study to conclude in March 2026 and recommend night-time economy projects
  • A creative internships programme to support with recruitment pathways
  • Supporting Clerkenwell Design week via SAG and wider support
  • Leveraging the popularity of Arsenal women's matches

The council is also considering a case study of Hackney Nights, a 'portal' for Late Night Levy payers in Hackney, to consolidate relevant information in one place.