Soho residents’ plea to block new bar licences is "bad for London", says Sadiq Khan
A group voted to challenge all new bar and restaurant licence applications in Soho, as well as renewals of existing ones Continue reading...
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has opposed a resident group’s plea to block all new bar and restaurant licences in Soho, claiming that it would be “bad for London”.
Khan has pledged to overrule objections made by The Soho Society, a group representing residents in the area with an aim to “preserve the character of Soho”.
The group voted last week (Thursday, June 4) to challenge all new bar and restaurant licence applications made to Westminster Council, as well as renewals of existing ones.
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The Soho Society also objects to venues seeking an extension of opening hours beyond “core hours”, which the council says end at 11:PM, claiming that the area has been subject to heightened crime, “unacceptable” noise levels, and litter.
Speaking to the BBC , a spokesperson for Sir Sadiq Khan said that the society’s decision to oppose new, extended, or renewed licences in Soho was the “wrong one”, claiming that it would be “bad for London”.
"The mayor wants London's nightlife to thrive and the good news is that his new licensing powers from the government will begin to come into force this summer," the spokesperson said.
Khan was granted powers to approve late-night licenses for nightlife in the capital last April, following a pledge to support London’s clubs, bars, and venues.
It also allows Khan to “call in” licensing decisions made by London councils in “areas deemed to be of strategic importance for the night-time economy”.
In February, Khan also unveiled plans for a “London-wide” licensing overhaul to support nightlife businesses in the capital. His new powers will come into effect this summer.
A spokesperson for The Soho Society said that the group’s objections are “often based on the data and experience that the intensification of the night-time economy in Soho has not been matched by an equivalent increase in infrastructure”.
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