Soho Society licence objections concern operators

The Story

Operators in Soho say the Soho Society’s new licensing mandate to object to all new bar and restaurant licences could harm the area’s international reputation as an entertainment district. The society, a resident group part-funded by Westminster city council, voted at its AGM to challenge all new applications and renewals, as well as venues seeking to open beyond the council’s 11pm core hours.

Key Facts

• The Soho Society, established in 1972, voted for a licensing mandate at its AGM on Thursday to challenge all new bar and restaurant licence applications and renewals.
• The society will also object to any venue wishing to open beyond Westminster council’s “core hours” ending at 11pm.
• The society claims an intensification of nightlife, unacceptable noise, crime and litter from late-night revellers.
• The society is part-funded by Westminster city council and has a formal consultative role on planning and licensing applications.
• Rupert Power, owner of Sophie’s and Jack Solomons and chair of the Soho business alliance of 150 small companies, said it would be a shame if Soho’s international reputation was “trashed by a few residents”.
• Some Soho Society members reported feeling intimidated into not voting against the mandate because an email said votes would be seen by the chair.
• A bar owner who is also a society member called the group “mafia-like” and said contesting licences costs nothing for the society but thousands for businesses.
• Brian Hannon, owner of Super 8 restaurant company, said it was “shocking” that voting would be visible and called the society’s stance “silly and unreasonable”.
• A report by former cabinet minister Alan Milburn cited a halving of hospitality vacancies over four years and high youth unemployment.
• Last year, the society objected to a gin bar licence on fire hazard grounds; the London fire brigade refuted the claim, but the distillery incurred £44,000 in legal fees and has yet to open. The society paid £27,000 due to its “precarious financial position”.
• Philip Kolvin KC said the mandate covers “pretty much the whole gamut of licence applications” and stymies innovation, causing delays and spiralling legal costs.
• The Soho Society is estimated to represent about 10% of the district’s residents, and Power believes its membership skews older.
• A spokesperson for the Soho Society said the mandate reflects concerns about cumulative impact and that they have never initiated a licence review; the council makes the final decision.
• Caroline Sargent, Westminster council’s deputy leader, said the council seeks to balance Soho’s status as an international centre of hospitality with being a pleasant place to live.

Conflicting Reports

The source article presents conflicting views between Soho business operators and the Soho Society. Operators argue the blanket objections harm businesses and jobs, while the society justifies its mandate as a response to cumulative impact from nightlife. The society also disputes claims of intimidation, saying no member has raised such concerns.

Still Unclear

The article does not specify the exact number of Soho Society members, nor does it detail the specific evidence behind the society’s claims of crime and litter. It also does not state when the distillery mentioned may open.

Misconceptions

No widespread misconceptions addressed in the source article.

Key Figures

• Rupert Power: owner of Sophie’s and Jack Solomons, chair of the Soho business alliance
• Brian Hannon: owner of the Super 8 restaurant company (Kiln and Mountain)
• Philip Kolvin KC: planning lawyer
• Alan Milburn: former cabinet minister (report cited)
• Caroline Sargent: Westminster council deputy leader and cabinet member for enforcement
• A spokesperson for the Soho Society (not named)

Sources: The Guardian