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London Mayor Sadiq Khan has criticised a decision by residents’ group The Soho Society to oppose all new and renewed bar and restaurant licence applications in Soho, describing the move as “bad for London”.
The policy, approved at the group’s AGM on 28 May, also commits the Society to challenging applications seeking opening hours beyond Westminster City Council’s 11 pm “core hours” policy.
A spokesperson for Khan said the blanket opposition was “the wrong one” and reiterated the mayor’s commitment to supporting London’s hospitality and nightlife sectors, as per the BBC. New powers being introduced by the government later this year will allow City Hall to make formal representations on licensing decisions and, in some cases, intervene in applications deemed strategically important to the capital’s night-time economy. The measures form part of Khan’s wider plans to overhaul London’s licensing system and expand late-night activity across the city.
The Soho Society said its position reflects concerns that the growth of Soho’s night-time economy has not been matched by investment in infrastructure, citing issues including noise, crime and litter. The decision has drawn criticism from hospitality operators, who argue that blanket opposition to new licences could damage Soho’s reputation as one of London’s best-known entertainment districts.
Westminster City Council has stressed that it remains independent of the Society and that all licence applications will continue to be considered on a case-by-case basis.
