Soho ‘blocked’ from al-fresco dining this summer because of ‘too many influential people’

Sir Sadiq Khan is offering a £500,000 boost to lift the capital’s summer nightlife with more al-fresco dining (Picture: Alex Segre/UCG)

Westminster Council has been accused of ‘thwarting fun in Soho’ after they failed to apply for funding to boost their nightlife.

As those enjoying the heatwave and World Cup search London’s streets for somewhere to eat, the Mayor is pushing for more outdoor dining and the extension of opening hours.

Sir Sadiq Khan is offering a £500,000 boost to lift the capital’s summer nightlife with more al-fresco dining and extended opening hours, but Westminster Council did not even apply.

This is despite the accusations that the borough is being controlled by Nimby resident groups, which is destroying Soho’s reputation as one of the largest entertainment districts.

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.’

Soho’s reputation is declining after resident groups reject licence applications (Photo by: Alex Segre/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Mark Fuller, owner of Sanctum Hotel in the area, said the area is ‘only declining’, as when he first started work in the 1980s most licenses 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.’

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.’

Mayor of London receives new licencing powers from today

Sir Sadiq will receive landmark new licencing powers today in the hope the city will stop being controlled by those who hate the night-time economy.

For the first time ever, a mayor will get a say in the licencing process as he is able to create a new London-wide policy, rather than all boroughs having different systems.

Sir Sadiq will then be able to interrogate and scrutinise decisions, and he will also be consulted on strategically important policies.

Westminster City Council said: ‘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.’

Some 13 boroughs have still applied for the ‘Summer Streets’ programme to boost nightlife this summer.

Four large ‘al-fresco’ projects in Barking & Dagenham, Brent, Greenwich and Lambeth have each received grants of up to £100,000 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 have received up to £10,000 each to deliver activities.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, 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.’

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