Soho ‘blocked’ from al-fresco dining after council fails to apply for nightlife funding
Westminster Council has been accused of ‘thwarting fun in Soho’ after it failed to apply for funding to boost their nightlife.
Westminster Council has been accused of ‘thwarting fun in Soho’ after it 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.’
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.’
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.