Sadiq Khan comes to the aid of pubs in new London plan

London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced on Monday that as part of his new 'London Plan' he would undertake extensive measures aimed at halting the "shocking" number of pubs closing their doors in the capital.

On average, 81 London pubs shut up shop every year since 2001 but Khan's strategy for the city, to be published later in the week, would see his office push individual boroughs to do more to recognise the heritage, economic, social and cultural value of the properties, urging local authorities to ensure they are protected for local communities.

The Mayor's "Agent of Change" principle would see developers building new residential properties near existing pubs be forced to take responsibility for taking adequate steps in soundproofing and noise reduction from nearby pubs, clubs and live music venues, instead of dumping the "crippling cost" on the venues themselves.

Khan's plan also asked boroughs to "resist applications" to redevelop areas connected to public housing, such as beer gardens, function rooms or landlord accommodation.

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said, "Pubs across the capital are often at the heart of our communities or of historic value and should be protected by local authorities in order to protect the capital’s unique character. From historic watering holes to new pop-up breweries, nothing defines the diverse and historic character of the capital better than the Great British Pub."

"That's why I've set out measures in my draft London Plan to protect pubs against redevelopment, ensure they can co-exist peacefully with nearby residential properties and ensure that councils across the capital recognise their importance to the city’s cultural fabric."

Several London pubs, such as Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese on Fleet Street, The Black Friar by Blackfriars Bridge and The George Inn on Borough High Street, are tourist destinations in their own right, boasting the likes of William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens and Mark Twain as former patrons, or the Mayflower in Rotherhithe where the boat of the same name docked before carrying pilgrims to America.