Sadiq Khan’s night tsar to stand down from £132,000 role

Sadiq Khan appointed Amy Lamé as the capital's first night tsar in 2016
Sadiq Khan appointed Amy Lamé as the capital’s first night tsar in 2016 - PA /Alamy

Sadiq Khan’s “night tsar” has said she will stand down from her £132,000-a-year role after eight years amid growing criticism of London’s nightlife.

Amy Lamé was appointed as the capital’s first night tsar in 2016 with the intention of supporting the capital’s bars and nightclubs.

More than 3,000 venues have closed across London since the pandemic, according to the Night Time Industries Association.

The night tsar was also tasked with improving women’s safety and standing up for London’s 1.3 million night workers.

Ms Lamé said it had been a 'real privilege to serve Londoners'
Ms Lamé said it had been a ‘real privilege to serve Londoners’ - James Manning/PA

Ms Lamé’s salary became a lightning rod for criticism of the capital’s nightlife scene. She started out with £32,000-a-year working two and a half days a week, but this had soared to £132,846 by the time she resigned.

Ms Lamé said it had been a privilege to serve the capital, but it was “the right time” to move on.

‘Lame London’

She has been criticised for failing to stem a flurry of venue closures across London, reversing the on-street dining afforded by the pandemic and peddling the line that London is a 24-hour city.

Earlier this year, social media users began circulating the phrase “LameLondon” to show their discontent.

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, said: “I’d like to thank Amy for everything that she’s done as the capital’s first-ever night tsar.

“She has worked hard to help London’s nightlife through huge challenges, including the pandemic and cost of living crisis, and I know she will continue to be a key part of the industry going forward.”

Ms Lamé said: “It has been a huge honour to be London’s – and the UK’s – first-ever night tsar, but after eight years I believe that it is the right time for me to move on.

“It has been a real privilege to serve Londoners and deliver for the mayor, and I’m deeply proud of what has been achieved in the face of so many challenges.”

She added: “Cities across the UK and the world have created their own champions for life at night in recent years and it’s been inspiring to work alongside them.

‘Mayor’s manifesto pledges’

“Despite the ongoing challenges that it faces, I know that London’s life at night will continue to evolve and I look forward to seeing the work that has already started to deliver the mayor’s manifesto pledges as I begin my next chapter.”

Ms Lamé will continue in the role until Oct 31. It is not known whether a successor will be appointed.

She was instrumental in reopening Fabric, protecting the 100 Club, securing the future of Printworks, securing the reopening of the Black Cap pub and enabling Drumsheds to open.

Born in New Jersey but based in the UK since she was 21, Ms Lamé was previously a prominent Labour activist and served as mayoress of Camden in 2010-11.

She has performed one-woman comedy shows including Gay Man Trapped in a Lesbian’s Body and has been a presenter on the BBC 2 show Gaytime TV.  Ms Lamé has also written a gay history book aimed at children.