Khan signals licensing intervention as Soho businesses warn of damage to global reputation

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has pledged to use new powers to intervene in licensing disputes in Soho, setting up a potential confrontation with residents’ groups that have sought to challenge new hospitality venues and extended opening hours in the district.

The move follows growing concern among restaurant owners, bar operators and hospitality businesses that increasingly restrictive licensing battles are undermining Soho’s position as one of the world’s best-known entertainment and cultural destinations.

At the centre of the dispute is the Soho Society, a long-established residents’ organisation that recently adopted a policy of objecting to all new bar and restaurant licence applications, including licence renewals and requests to operate beyond Westminster City Council’s standard core hours of 11pm. The society argues that intensifying nightlife activity has brought increased noise, crime, litter and pressure on local infrastructure.

Mr Khan has criticised the approach, describing blanket opposition to licensing applications as harmful to London’s economy and cultural life. Under powers expected to come into force later this year, the Mayor will be able to call in licensing decisions in strategically important areas and potentially overturn local authority decisions that restrict hospitality businesses.

Business leaders say such intervention is urgently needed to prevent further decline in Soho’s competitiveness. Hospitality operators have warned that prolonged licensing disputes, legal costs and uncertainty are discouraging investment and making it harder for independent businesses to survive.

Representatives of Soho’s business community argue that the district’s reputation has been built on its mix of restaurants, bars, music venues and late-night culture. They fear that continued resistance to new licences and extended trading hours could weaken Soho’s appeal compared with other international cities that maintain more vibrant night-time economies.

The Soho Society maintain that their objections are consistent with existing licensing policies and reflect legitimate concerns from residents. The group says growth in nightlife activity has not been matched by adequate measures to manage its impact on those living in the area.