Westminster Council has been accused of 'thwarting fun in Soho' after failing to apply for a £500,000 Mayoral fund aimed at boosting outdoor dining and nightlife. The Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, launched the 'Summer Streets' programme to support hospitality venues with al-fresco dining, extended hours, and events. However, Westminster, which oversees Soho, did not submit a bid, despite criticism that the borough is dominated by Nimby resident groups harming the area's entertainment reputation.
Source criticises 'influential people' blocking progress
A source close to Sir Sadiq told Metro: '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.'
Mark Fuller, owner of Sanctum Hotel in Soho, said the area is 'only declining'. He recalled that when he started working in the 1980s, most licences ended at 3am. He told Metro: 'I once had one of my chair legs sticking out over my allowed area, and I got told off by the council. If independent venues aren't allowed to thrive, then you can bet Soho will just become filled with American sweet shops and other chains like in Leicester Square.'
Council defends position, blames timing
Paul Swaddle, leader of Westminster City Council, told Metro: 'Our Conservative Administration took charge a couple of days before the deadline to apply for the funding. It seems the Mayor also thinks that the last Labour Administration were anti business. We will look at how best to take advantage of this scheme next year but in the interim look forward to welcoming readers to a thriving west end.'
Westminster City Council added: 'Westminster already hosts the largest number of licensed venues in the country. We'd be delighted to work with the Mayor to support the hospitality industry as well as our residents and the hundreds of thousands of visitors to our city. The council would welcome a meeting to discuss how the jewel in the capital's entertainment scene could be better with investment from the Mayor's office.'
Mayor gains new licensing powers
Sir Sadiq Khan received landmark new licensing powers today, allowing him to create a London-wide policy for the first time, rather than each borough having different systems. He can now interrogate and scrutinise decisions and be consulted on strategically important policies. The Mayor 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. Today also marks a landmark moment for London's licensing system as for the first time ever City Hall has a direct say in how licensing decisions are made across the 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.'
Other boroughs benefit from Summer Streets funding
Thirteen other boroughs applied for the Summer Streets programme. Four large al-fresco projects in Barking & Dagenham, Brent, Greenwich, and Lambeth received grants of up to £100,000 each to transform areas with outdoor dining, World Cup screenings, and markets. Eleven smaller 'pocket' schemes in Brent, Camden, Ealing, Haringey, Hounslow, Islington, Lewisham, Newham, Sutton, and Waltham Forest received up to £10,000 each to deliver activities.
