To help you enjoy your nights out over the festive period, around the Marble Arch area and Central London, we’ve included some tips and advice to help you, your colleagues and friends stay safe, including information on public transport and local initiatives.
Public Transport
Public transport to and around London is reduced over the Christmas and New Year period, so make sure to plan your journey in advance. There are likely to be changes to timetables on all TfL services. Details will be available nearer the time on the TfL website.
The Congestion Charge will not operate from Sunday 25 December 2022 to Monday 2 January 2023 (inclusive). The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will not operate on Christmas Day.
Saturday 24 December: A Saturday service will run until 8pm and a reduced service from 8pm onwards. The final trains of the day are at Sunday times and there will be no Night Tube. Buses will run on a Saturday timetable, with passengers advised to complete journeys by 11:30pm. There are no night buses (24hr services will finish around midnight).
Sunday 25 December: There is no public transport in London on Christmas Day. The only transport running will be taxi and private hire services and Santander Cycles.
Monday 26 December: Public transport operates a Sunday service. Planned track closures on the Elizabeth line. Night buses and 24 hour services run as normal. The Congestion Charge doesn’t apply, but ULEZ and LEZ charges do.
Between Christmas and New Year: Tubes, trains and buses run weekend or altered services. Planned track closures on the Elizabeth line. Check ahead before travel.
Saturday 31 December: Free travel on the TfL network between 23:45 and 04:30. Many Tube, DLR, Trams and buses will run through the night.
Sunday 1 January: The Tube will run a Sunday service after midday, as will the buses. Other transport services may run a reduced or altered service.
Monday 2 January: Tube, bus, Overground, DLR and Trams all on a Saturday or Sunday service.
Tuesday 3 January onwards: Services back to normal.
Check the TfL website before you travel.
The Marble Arch Street Team
Our dedicated Street Team patrol the BID area Monday to Saturday, supporting our members, their staff, customers and guests.
The Marble Arch Street Team will be working over the festive period:
- Friday 23 December: 8am-midnight
- Saturday 24 December: 8am-9pm
- Sunday 25 December: No patrols
- Monday 26 December: No patrols
- Tuesday 27 December: 8am-10pm
- Wednesday 28 December 8am-10pm
- Thursday 29 December: 8am-10pm
- Friday 30 December: 8am-midnight
- Saturday 31 December: 8am-10pm
- Sunday 1 January: No patrols
From Monday 2 January usual hours resume, Monday-Thursday from 8am-10pm and Friday-Saturday from 8am-midnight.
The Street Team can be contacted by phone or WhatsApp on 07825 750 777 or 07852 566 122. Remember, if a crime is in progress or in an emergency, please call 999. To report a crime that has already taken place please call 101.
Night Stars
Nights Stars are volunteers who work in partnership with the Metropolitan Police with the aim to help make nights out safer for all. They currently operate in Soho, China Town, Leicester Square and Piccadilly. They can help in a variety of ways including if you need water, someone to talk to, a safe place to sober up, directions, helping if you’ve had property stolen, making sure you get home safely or even giving out slippers.
They are based at the Night Hub at St Anne’s Church, Soho and easily recognisable by their pink reflective vests. Night Stars currently operate on Friday nights from 10pm to 5am and can be contacted on 0207 641 3344. You can also visit them at the Soho Night Hub, St Anne’s Church Hall, 55 Dean St W1D 6AF or use the what3words app to find the Night Hub at ///zealous.ticket.dining.
Ask for Angela
Ask for Angela is a safety initiative that has been rolled out to a large number of bars, clubs and other licensed businesses across London. Anyone who feels unsafe, vulnerable or threatened can discreetly seek help by approaching venue staff and asking them for ‘Angela’. This code-phrase will indicate to staff that the person requires help with their situation and a trained member of staff will then look to support and assist them. This might be through reuniting them with a friend, seeing them to a taxi, or by calling venue security and/or the police.
Staying Safe on a Night Out
Plan Ahead
Make sure your phone is charged before you leave so you can communicate with your friends while you’re out and ask for help if need be.
Your valuables
Don’t keep your wallet in you back pocket. If you need cash, go to the cash point before your night out, avoid using them at night. Put your keys, ID and credit cards somewhere you won’t lose them. If you have a bag with you, don’t leave it unattended.
Stay Together
If going out with friends or as part of a group, remain close and with them whilst out. Make sure you all know how you’re getting home. Let friends or colleagues know when you’re leaving / expected home.
Drink Safety
Pace your drinks and drink plenty of water. The Drinkaware calculator can be a useful tool f you want to keep track of how much you’re drinking. Never accept a drink from someone you don’t know and don’t leave your drink unattended – if going away from your drink, ask your friends to watch your drink.
Don’t get involved
Should you be unfortunate enough to witness a confrontation or fight, don’t get involved directly but alert staff and/or the police.
Taxis
Only book licensed mini-cabs or taxis. Black cabs are the only taxis that you can hail on the street, unlike all other cabs which must be pre-booked via phone or app. Don’t be tempted to get into an unlicensed cab for a quicker ride home.
Walking back home
Getting a cab or bus home is safer than walking but if you’re walking home, use well lit areas, walk with confidence and be aware of your surroundings. Take the safest route and tempting as they may be, not short cuts.
