Soho business owners have warned it is going to become ‘tacky and s*** like Leicester Square’ as residents object to hundreds of business applications.
The Soho Business Alliance (SBA) have desperately appealed to London and Westminster Council officials to stop listening to residents whinging about noise levels and let people enjoy the area once again.
Many are unable to get an alcohol license past 12am, and even asking to put tables and chairs outside is an ‘arduous task’.
Mark Fuller, owner of Sanctum Hotel, 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.’
Resident’s group The Soho Society has reportedly reviewed 102 planning applications since 2022 – and has objected to all but one, according to the SBA.
Now the SBA has written to the council, the Mayor and their MP to express their frustration on the high rate of planning and licensing applications being rejected.
John James, director of Soho Estates and member of the SBA, said Westminster Council was ‘acting like a rural parish council’, adding: ‘Many operators are considering moving out because of Westminster’s obvious bias against them.’
Many have tried to expand their licenses so they can serve alcohol later, but have been barred from doing so – only contributing to London’s dying nightlife.
Mark has worked in Soho since the 1980s and said the area is ‘only declining’, as when he first started most licenses ended at 3am.
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But it is not just bars and nightclubs wanting to extend their licenses. Victor Garvey, who runs Michelin star restaurant SOLA, said he wants to extend his permissions by just one hour to allow diners to enjoy a longer time at the table.
He said: ‘It costs diners £300 per head to eat here, but they are acting like we are some cheap nightclub trying to stay open until 5am.
‘It is NIMBYism at its worst. These residents moved to Soho knowing exactly what Soho is like, so there is really no room to complain.’
The chef said ‘there is no point bothering’ fighting for it to be approved after a licensing lawyer said how unlikely it was for it get the green light.
‘If businesses are now saying “why bother” and question their future in your area, you know you are doing something wrong,’ he said.
‘It’s a small minority who want to turn Soho into this quiet village, but because councillors want to be voted back in, they will listen to them over us.’
Some Soho residents think the area still does have a ‘village feel to it’, and do not agree with complaints about noise and crowds
Phil Nash, a consultant who has lived in the area for a year, said: ‘It can be busy here but the noise isn’t too much of an issue.
‘But when I moved here, I knew it wasn’t going to be quiet and peaceful. I would welcome the idea of places staying open for longer.’
Soho Society rejected the idea they have objected to so many applications and said they are only concerned with protecting the area’s heritage.
They told Metro: ‘One of our concerns is protecting Soho’s heritage, including its narrow streets which were laid out in the 17th century.
‘Nearly three-quarters of all crime in Westminster is in the West End Ward and St James Ward, and according to the police much of it is related to the night time economy.’
Jamie Poulton, who opened the Broadwick Hotel last year, said he is already experiencing animosity from residents and the council.
He said: ‘We are just trying to get on and it’s like they are trying to get us kicked out.’
He said that despite being in the centre of London, it feels lifeless.
‘They are just anti-growth,’ he said. ‘And now they are wanting to add a tourist tax, it’s like they don’t want revenue.’
Siobhan MacGill, who runs musical theatre bar Archer Street, said they are strictly only allowed two tables and four chairs outside in the summer months.
She also said the rising crime in the area is putting people off from coming into Soho to enjoy a night out.
She said: ‘I have a lot of her staff who are LGBTQ+ ‘try and appear straight’ when they are leaving over fears gangs of men who loiter nearby will attack them.
‘There are a lot of intimidating characters, phone snatchers and litterers who operate in this area, and the police seem unbothered.’
A council spokesperson said: ‘The council always strives to strike a balance between the needs of residents and businesses, ensuring Soho retains its special character as a hive of entertainment and culture while remaining an attractive place for people to live.
‘Our licensing service works closely with businesses to ensure they operate legally, helping our hospitality industry to thrive while ensuring people enjoying a night out are safe and our streets are accessible for everyone.’
The Metropolitan Police said: ‘Our West End Crime Proactive Partnership Team (WEPPT) sees uniformed officers on patrol across Soho, particularly during the busiest periods of the week. This team aims to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour and increase the feeling of safety in the area.
‘There are officers regularly posted to Soho from several proactive teams and we often have Taskforce officers from the TSG on patrol at the peak times.
‘New mobile CCTV cameras have been installed in a number of areas.’
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