London Museum wins 24-hour licence ahead of historic opening

The London Museum has secured a licence allowing it to sell alcohol around-the-clock as preparations continue ahead of its long-awaited opening later this month.Ahead of the unveiling, the London Museum had applied to the local authority, the City of London Corporation, for a licence covering a range of event spaces, cafes, bars and restaurants.The museum sought permission to host performances, such as plays, film and live music, and sell alcohol for drinking on and off the premises 24 hours a day, Monday to Sunday. A request to serve late-night refreshment of hot food and drink was requested until 5am. It is understood the application has been granted by members of the corporation’s licensing sub-committee.The London Museum is due to open at its new Smithfield location this monthLondon Museum The revamped visitor attraction, which is moving from its former London Wall location to a market left vacant since traders moved out in the 1990s, is to be split into three distinct areas: Real Time, Our Time, and Past Time.The museum will combine permanent displays and temporary events, with delivery coming from partners including Fabric nightclub and Morley’s chicken shop. Curators plan to host new offerings, including a weekly tea club, late night DJ sets, and monthly dinner clubs.The Poultry Market, which is adjacent to the Victorian General Market, is expected to open in 2028, housing the museum’s temporary exhibitions, collection stores and learning centre.Cameron Leslie, co-founder and director at Fabric, was one of five people to write in support of the all-night licensing plans. The Greater London Authority was also among the application’s backers. One resident, Greg Callus, objected. Mr Callus told the corporation’s licensing sub-committee that he supported the museum’s plans and it being a 24/7 venue. But the Zone 1 resident suggested alcohol should not be sold after midnight during the week, and 2am on weekends. The granted licence will allow the museum to stay open around-the-clockSecchi Smith Atelier BrücknerHe told members that he accepted that living in central London required a degree of tolerance, but argued that such a late-night licence could lead to challenges in encouraging people to leave the museum’s vicinity.Read MoreAlun Thomas, representing the museum, said the application was intended to legislate for day-to-day operations, as well as the wider programme of cultural events. He said each event would have a bespoke risk assessment, and that, from a transport perspective, the museum is ideally located.On the appropriateness of a 24/7 licence in that particular area, Mr Thomas pointed to Fabric as proof it can be effectively implemented and enforced.The club has held all-night parties in the past, which Mr Thomas said “doesn’t cause a problem”.Mr Thomas told members that without the 24/7 licence the museum would be operating “in the dark” when it comes to establishing its programme of cultural events.Committee members did not make a decision on the day of the meeting, though it is understood they have since approved the application.A London Museum spokesman said: “In our new home, we set ourselves the ambition to be just like London, with extended opening hours fitting for a 24-hour city. “This licence gives us the opportunity to create great moments for people to experience the museum, whatever their shift or schedule.”