When you are working 9 to 5 and commuting to and from work, it can be difficult to fit in a quick trip to the shops.

But busy Londoners may be glad to know they may soon be able to shop after work as services in Walthamstow High Street will open after 6pm, Sadiq Khan has announced.

The move comes as part of a new scheme to boost the town centre and ensure Londoners' needs are met during the evening and night, as well as the day.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Our high streets are at the very heart of our communities, but in recent years we have seen them struggling under significant pressures.

“By working together to encourage longer opening hours and host innovative events after 6pm, this pilot in Walthamstow will be a real opportunity to develop the ideas that can boost our high streets and help realise our vision for a 24-hour city.”

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Leader of Waltham Forest Council Clare Coghill and GLA Night Czar Amy Lam. Photo: Waltham Forest Council

The high street will receive £75,000 from City Hall to support the longer opening hours for businesses.

It follows the launching of the night Tube and night Overground, and the provision of help to safeguard night time venues in London.

The pilot scheme, which will run from October to January, will offer businesses low-cost spaces to hire in the evenings, help groups host events after 6pm, and create a step-by-step guide for night-time businesses to help them apply for planning and licensing approval.

Clare Coghill, leader of Waltham Forest Council, said: “We are delighted to be chosen as the Mayor of London’s first-ever Night Time Enterprise Zone as it will help us build on our existing work to encourage more people to use local businesses later in the day.

“We will be talking to our business community and residents to develop a programme which makes sure every pound for this pilot projects brings lasting benefits.”