The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has escalated his dispute with campaigners in Soho who are opposing new pubs, clubs, and bars in the area, branding their stance as 'silly'. During a press conference on Thursday, Khan criticised the Soho Society, which recently voted to object to every new venue licence application in the district.
Social Media Swipe
In a tweet on Thursday, Khan wrote: 'Complaining about nightlife when you *checks notes* choose to live in Soho is like living in South Kensington and complaining about the museums. Or moving to Hackney and grumbling about creatives. Living in Richmond and hating green space. It's all getting a bit silly, isn't it?'
Soho Society's Position
The Soho Society argues that central London is oversaturated with nightlife venues and that there is insufficient policing to manage later opening hours. Last month, the group voted to oppose all new bar and restaurant licence applications, including those seeking hours beyond Westminster Council's 11pm 'core hours' policy.
Restaurant and bar owners have pushed back against the plans, warning that challenging every new licence could 'destroy Soho's reputation' as a premier entertainment district.
Khan's Broader Frustration
The Mayor has previously targeted 'NIMBY' Westminster councillors, accusing them of hindering the nighttime economy. He linked the decline of Oxford Street to local politicians blocking proposals due to objections from a handful of residents. 'You've got NIMBY councillors on either side of that street saying no to any progress,' Khan said, expressing 'incredible frustration' that the same dynamic applies to the nighttime economy.
Khan noted his request to the government for control over Oxford Street to pedestrianise it, citing the council's refusal to make progress. 'And the same goes for the nighttime economy. I'm incredibly frustrated. I've got five tubes open at the night time, I've got record numbers of night buses. They've got nowhere to go to because you can't go to a decent club or a decent bar after a certain time of the day,' he added.
