London mayor to override opposition to outdoor dining in Soho next summer | London

London Mayor Sadiq Khan plans to overrule opposition to a ban on outdoor dining in Soho after the local council failed to apply for a seasonal pedestrianization plan introduced in the capital this summer.

From 2027, restaurants in London’s entertainment district will be allowed to put chairs outside during the warmer months, despite a long-running local debate on the issue.

Khan announced on Monday that 13 London boroughs had received a share of nearly £500,000 to bring outdoor dining, events and extended opening hours to streets throughout the summer and autumn.

But this year pedestrianization has been resisted in Soho, despite outdoor dining proving very popular during the area’s Covid-19 pandemic. Westminster council has since opposed expanding outdoor dining during the summer months.

Sources close to Khan said the new powers would allow him to override the council in the summer of 2027.

Soho, where people could socialize outdoors during the pandemic, resembled Continental Europe as temporary permits and road closures allowed venues to spill onto the streets.

But the Soho Community, a group of local residents, complained about the noise made by people drinking and eating outside and council wound Lift the plan up.

Khan said the new powers he would receive from the government would allow him to override council decisions and open central London to outdoor dining in the summer.

A source close to the mayor said: “Opening our streets to outdoor dining and other activities should be at the heart of supporting our fantastic hospitality venues throughout the summer and autumn. “But the attitude of many influential people around Soho is that bringing more entertainment and socializing to our streets is something that should and should be discouraged.

“We hope that when the mayor gets new licensing powers this year, things will be done differently, supporting our amazing venues as they look to expand and offer even more to their customers.”

Khan said he would override Westminster council’s decisions if they unfairly prevented venues from opening. This comes after the Soho Community announced it would represent all applications for new bars and restaurants as new openings would increase the impact of noise and crime in the area.

Areas in London to receive funding from the mayor’s office to create outdoor recreation include four major “outdoor projects” in Barking and Dagenham, Brent, Greenwich and Lambeth.

Short Blue Place in Barking will become a street food market with performances from arts and theater groups, while Wembley High Road, Ealing Road and Kingsbury in Brent will feature al fresco dining and more than 40 events. In Greenwich, General Gordon Square, Beresford Square and Powis Street will host events including World Cup and Wimbledon screenings, markets, performances and outdoor dining with a late opening. In Lambeth, Lower Marsh at Waterloo will be closed to traffic from 9am to 9pm every Saturday, with outdoor seating, expanded merchandising and events.

Khan said: “I’m delighted to be working with boroughs and local businesses to bring al fresco dining, live music, events and late opening hours to streets across our capital. By making it easier to extend opening hours and expand the choice on offer, I’m committed to supporting our hospitality and nightlife as we build a better London for everyone.”

11 small ‘pocket’ projects in Brent, Camden, Ealing, Haringey, Hounslow, Islington, Lewisham, Newham, Sutton and Waltham Forest have each received up to £10,000 to deliver food and drink night markets, summer sessions featuring DJs and live music performances and family-friendly community events.

These plans are all voluntary and supported by local councils, but Khan will be able to use the new powers to open more of London to outdoor dining by next year. Each borough has a different licensing system, but the powers allow the mayor to establish a new London-wide strategic licensing policy, to be the official representative on licensing decisions, to be consulted when boroughs revise licensing policies, and to make strategically important decisions.

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, an industry association, said: “It’s great to see the mayors of so many London boroughs taking advantage of the summer streets fund. From food markets and alfresco dining to World Cup screenings, it shows the power of hospitality to boost activity and bring our communities together. I’m looking forward to seeing the success of all the events this summer.”