Westminster Council has faced backlash this week over proposals to limit the number of drinkers standing up in Soho pubs as part of new licensing rules. The town hall denies any plans for a ban, but curbs on venues are part of a wider problem threatening the future of the area famous for its nightlife. The council has claimed pressure from the police over crime and safety are also driving policy, amid concerns over how licensing and planning policy is damaging the neighbourhood.
Mayor Accused of Hypocrisy
Sir Sadiq Khan was accused of “hypocrisy” by Westminster Council after criticism it planned to prioritise licences for new establishments that focus on seated customers rather than "vertical drinking". The proposals were slammed by the Mayor of London, who said you "can't run a world-famous nightlife district with a village-hall mindset".
But councillors argued it is the Met that often poses the biggest obstacle to new nightlife venues opening. Deputy council leader Tim Barnes said the police force — overseen by the Mayor of London — routinely objects to licensing applications because it lacks the resources to tackle crime associated with the night-time economy. Mr Barnes argued that Sir Sadiq had misunderstood the plans and was ignoring the role played by the Metropolitan Police in opposing late-night businesses.
Police Objections
This week alone, the Met has objected to an application by noodle restaurant Wok and Fire in Haymarket to extend its opening hours by one hour until 1am. Officers said they "are concerned that the venue will become a ‘destination point’ prior to people leaving the area" and leave customers open to "potentially becoming the victims of crime". The Met has also objected to an application by ice cream shop Amorino in Old Compton Street to stay open until 3am. That application is due to be heard next Thursday.
Mr Barnes told the Standard: "The Met Police, they pretty much complain about everything. It is pretty hypocritical of the Mayor. The purpose of any restraint on licensing is not to stop people having fun. It’s to make people safe." Earlier this month, Westminster Council rejected police concerns over plans for the McDonald's in Leicester Square to open 24 hours a day.
Victim Blaming
"The Met has taken a view that there is a high level of criminal activity in the [central London and Soho] area and the only way they can prevent crime is stop all new licences," Mr Barnes said. "This is a form of victim blaming. They’re saying ‘We can’t stop you becoming a victim of crime so we would rather you didn’t go out’."
He added: "The Mayor should be giving the resources to the Met. He has turned down their request for facial recognition. We support the police where we can and think they need more funding to tackle crime." Soho is famous for its historic pubs, many of them centuries old, where drinkers regularly spill onto the streets as venues fill throughout the evenings.
Downing Street Weighs In
The row over "vertical drinking" reached Downing Street this week, with Number 10 insisting that busy pubs are "not a public nuisance". A Downing Street spokesman said: "The Government is devolving new licensing powers to the Mayor to help support pubs and nightlife. Soho did not become world famous by taking last orders early, switching the lights off at 10 o’clock. The Prime Minister encourages local leaders to work with the industry so that pubs can continue to thrive."
But Mr Barnes insisted the draft licensing policy had been misunderstood. Home Office rules state local authorities must have a policy for late-night venues and places that serve alcohol, which must be reviewed every five years. In Westminster, the plan includes a “Cumulative Impact Zone” for the West End, which lays out strict rules for opening times and the kinds of establishments that can open. It means that across Soho, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus and parts of Fitzrovia and Mayfair the council can refuse applications for bars, clubs and restaurants on the basis that it could lead to more crime or public nuisance.
Licensing Policy Defended
Venues that are open can be hauled before a licensing review panel if residents complain about noise or disturbances. The draft licensing policy suggests it will be easier for new venues that exclusively provide table service to get a licence. Rules already in place will not change. "[The licensing policy] has been around for the last decade in some form or another," Mr Barnes said. "Broadly speaking this licensing policy looks the same as it did five years ago. It’s not controversial."
He added that the council currently approves more than 98 per cent of all new nightlife applications, although requested opening times are often scaled back. “This is about the Mayor trying to take control of licensing,” Mr Barnes said. “But the thing that trumps all of it is we are legally required to have the licensing policy. You are legally required to make sure venues adhere to the licensing objectives and that will be true even if the Mayor controls licences. The Lady is a new pub that has opened in Covent Garden. New venues pop up all the time because they make a good case and we approve them."
The Metropolitan Police has been contacted for comment.
