London mayor Sadiq Khan has announced plans to override opposition to al fresco dining in Soho, using new powers to force through seasonal pedestrianisation despite resistance from Westminster council. From summer 2027, restaurants in London’s entertainment district will be permitted to place chairs outside during warmer months, ending a longstanding local dispute.
Background: Soho’s Al Fresco Dining During the Pandemic
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Soho became a hub for outdoor dining, resembling continental Europe as temporary permits and road closures allowed venues to spill onto the streets. The scheme was highly popular, but the Soho Society, a residents’ group, complained about noise from people drinking and dining outside. Consequently, Westminster council wound up the scheme and opposed its expansion.
Khan announced on Monday that 13 London boroughs had received a share of nearly £500,000 to bring outdoor dining, events, and extended opening hours to their streets throughout the summer and into autumn. However, Soho was excluded due to local opposition.
New Powers to Overrule Council Decisions
Sources close to Khan confirmed that new licensing powers, granted by the government, will allow him to overrule Westminster council’s decisions for the summer of 2027. A source said: “Opening up our streets to al fresco dining and other events should be at the heart of supporting our brilliant hospitality venues over the summer and autumn. Yet the attitude of too many influential people around Soho is that bringing more fun and socialising to our streets is something to be thwarted and blocked. With new licensing powers coming to the mayor this year, we hope things will be done differently – supporting our amazing venues that want to expand and offer even more for their customers.”
Khan has stated he will overrule decisions by Westminster council if it unfairly blocks venues from opening. This comes after the Soho Society said it would make representations on all applications for new bars and restaurants, arguing that new openings add to noise and crime in the area.
Funding for Outdoor Events Across London
The mayor’s office is providing funding to create outdoor events in several boroughs. Four large “al fresco projects” are planned in Barking and Dagenham, Brent, Greenwich, and Lambeth. In Barking, Short Blue Place will become a street food market with performances from arts and theatre companies. Brent will see al fresco dining and over 40 events along Wembley High Road, Ealing Road, and Kingsbury. Greenwich will host World Cup and Wimbledon screenings, markets, performances, and late opening at General Gordon Square, Beresford Square, and Powis Street. In Lambeth, Lower Marsh in Waterloo will close to traffic every Saturday from 9am to 9pm, with outdoor seating, extended business trading, and events.
Eleven smaller “pocket” schemes in Brent, Camden, Ealing, Haringey, Hounslow, Islington, Lewisham, Newham, Sutton, and Waltham Forest have received up to £10,000 each to deliver food and drink night markets, summer sessions with DJs and live music, and family-friendly community events.
Reactions and Future Plans
Khan said: “I’m delighted that we’re working with boroughs and local businesses to bring al fresco dining, live music, events and later opening hours to streets across our capital. By making it easier to extend opening hours and expand what’s on offer, I’m determined to support our hospitality and nightlife, as we build a better London for everyone.”
Kate Nicholls, chair of UKHospitality, an industry association, commented: “It’s fantastic to see so many London boroughs taking advantage of the mayor’s summer streets fund. From food markets and al fresco dining to World Cup screenings, it shows the power of hospitality to drive activity and bring our communities together. I look forward to seeing the success of all the events this summer.”
These schemes are voluntary and supported by local councils, but Khan will be able to use new powers to open up more of London to outdoor dining by next year. Each borough has a different licensing system, but the mayor’s powers allow him to create a new London-wide strategic licensing policy, make formal representations on licensing decisions, be consulted when boroughs revise their policies, and call-in strategically important decisions.
