1. Soho’s hospitality, entertainment and cultural life are central to its identity. The Soho Society supports a vibrant Soho and recognises the importance of hospitality, entertainment and cultural venues to the area’s character and economy.

  2. Soho is a mixed neighbourhood, not simply a late-night entertainment district. Its cultural and economic life depends on a broad ecosystem of hospitality venues, independent shops, non-hospitality businesses, schools, churches, theatres, music venues, workers, visitors, families and residents.

  3. The Society is not opposed to hospitality or the night-time economy. Its concern is the unmanaged cumulative impact of a high concentration of licensed premises in a small area on Soho’s whole ecosystem, including crime, anti-social behaviour, public safety, public nuisance and the day-to-day functioning of the area.

  4. The Mayor’s focus on London’s night-time economy is welcome, but Soho is not a blank canvas. Soho is already one of the most intensely licensed areas in Westminster, and any strategic licensing policy must recognise the cumulative impact of licensing decisions on the whole community.

  5. City-wide licensing powers should not override local evidence. Soho’s density, narrow streets, residential population, late-night dispersal pressures, limited public infrastructure and existing licence capacity make it different from most other parts of London.

  6. Growth in late-night activity has practical consequences. Any increase in activity must be considered alongside the need for adequate public toilets, cleansing, waste management, policing, dispersal arrangements, public safety and street management. These are not abstract concerns; they affect the liveability, safety and functioning of Soho.

  7. The Society does not operate a blanket “no” to hospitality. It has supported iconic venues, pubs, restaurants and other businesses in Soho. In 2025, it considered 140 Soho-related licensing applications and submitted written representations on 45. That is selective scrutiny, not automatic opposition.

  8. The Society’s licensing work is carried out by unpaid volunteers who consider applications in detail. In many cases, representations are not objections to the principle of a licence, but requests for enforceable conditions to manage impact, including noise, dispersal, deliveries, capacity, public nuisance and operating practices. Where concerns are resolved, representations may be withdrawn.

  9. Soho continues to gain licensed premises and late-night capacity. There are over 500 licensed premises in Soho, and in 2025 alone 15 new alcohol licences were granted, adding an estimated additional capacity of over 900 people. Between 1am and 6am, Soho has 122 licensed premises with a combined capacity of more than 22,000 people. That scale has real implications for crime, policing, nuisance, cleansing and public safety.

  10. Licensing is about more than economic growth. The statutory licensing objectives are preventing crime and disorder, protecting public safety, preventing public nuisance and protecting children from harm. Alcohol-related harm, including risks to women and vulnerable people at night, must be considered. The Soho Society follows Westminster City Council’s licensing framework, including core hours, and has no power to grant, refuse or review licences; it can only make representations, as can residents, businesses, the police, Environmental Health, the Licensing Authority and other responsible authorities.

  11. The Soho Society has deep roots in Soho’s community. The suggestion that the Society has “just moved” to Soho does not reflect the experience of its trustees, many of whom have lived, worked or been involved in Soho for decades. On average, many of the Society’s trustees have lived in Soho for more than 25 years. We would welcome the opportunity to meet the Mayor in Soho, show him the community that lives here, and explain the work the charity does to support Soho as a place to live, work and visit.