Soho has been ‘declining for years’, business owners have warned (Picture: W8media/Getty)
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.
Mark fuller, owner of Sanctum Hotel, said he was ‘told off’ for having his chair off the green area (Picture: w8media)
Soho earlier this year. Local business owners are saying it is losing its life (Picture: Getty)
Soho business owners fear the area will become ‘tacky’ like Leicester Square (Picture: Carl Court/Getty Images)
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.
Latest London news
Map reveals list of all new London Overground line names and colours
London Underground severe delays with rest of UK facing snow travel chaos
Squatters in major film studio’s London headquarters thrown out after eight months
To get the latest news from the capital visit Metro.co.uk’s London news hub.
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.
Victor Garvey said he has struggled to extend the licensing for his Michelin-star restaurant (Picture: w8media)
Closed down retail spaces and small business in Soho (Picture: Getty)
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 …read more
Source:: Metro