Soho Society’s licensing objections criticized by business owners
The Story
A residents’ group funded by Westminster council has voted to challenge all new bar and restaurant licence applications in Soho, including renewals and extensions beyond 11pm. The Soho Society, established in 1972 to “preserve the character of Soho,” passed the mandate at its annual general meeting on Thursday. Business owners in the area argue the move could damage Soho’s international reputation as an entertainment district and harm small businesses. Rupert Power, who chairs the Soho business alliance and owns Sophie’s steak restaurant and Jack Solomons jazz bar, said the society’s approach risks “trashing” Soho’s reputation. Other operators cited a previous objection to a gin distillery that cost the business £44,000 in legal fees. The Soho Society has said its mandate reflects concerns about cumulative impact, noise, and crime, and that it has never initiated a review of any licence. Westminster council’s deputy leader said the council balances hospitality with residents’ quality of life.
Key Facts
- The Soho Society voted at its AGM on Thursday for a new licensing mandate to challenge all new bar and restaurant licence applications, including renewals and extensions beyond “core hours” (11pm).
- The society is part-funded by Westminster city council and has a formal consultative role on planning and licensing applications in Soho.
- Rupert Power, owner of Sophie’s and Jack Solomons, chairs the Soho business alliance of 150 small companies.
- Power said his club has only a 1am licence despite being a historic venue, and he has applied twice to extend it.
- A gin distillery faced a society objection on fire-hazard grounds, which was overturned; the distillery paid £44,000 in legal fees, and the society paid £27,000.
- A report by former cabinet minister Alan Milburn noted a halving of hospitality vacancies in four years and high youth unemployment.
- Philip Kolvin KC said the mandate covers “pretty much the whole gamut of licence applications” and could delay licensing and increase costs.
- The Soho Society is estimated to represent about 10% of Soho’s residents.
Conflicting Reports
The article presents conflicting accounts: business owners say the society’s objections are vexatious and damaging, while the Soho Society spokesperson stated the mandate reflects concerns about cumulative impact and that the society has never initiated a licence review. The society also disputed claims about member intimidation, saying no member raised concerns. Westminster council noted each application is decided on its own merits.
Still Unclear
The article does not specify what proportion of Soho residents the society actually represents, as the society stated “the number of residents in Soho is also uncertain.” It also does not clarify whether the new mandate will change council decisions, since the council said it considers all representations.
Misconceptions
No widespread misconceptions addressed in the source article.
Key Figures
- Rupert Power: owner of Sophie’s steak restaurant and Jack Solomons jazz bar, chair of the Soho business alliance.
- Brian Hannon: owner of Super 8 restaurant company (Kiln and Mountain).
- Philip Kolvin KC: planning lawyer.
- Alan Milburn: former cabinet minister, author of a report on hospitality jobs.
- Caroline Sargent: Westminster council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for enforcement.
- Spokesperson for the Soho Society (unnamed in the article).
Sources: The Guardian
