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

Frith Street in Soho filled with diners during the Covid pandemic when a popular al fresco dining scheme was in place. Photograph: Jill Mead/The Guardian View image in fullscreen Frith Street in Soho filled with diners during the Covid pandemic when a popular al fresco dining scheme was in place. Photograph: Jill Mead/The Guardian London mayor to override opposition to outdoor dining in Soho next summer Exclusive: Sadiq Khan plans to use new powers after local council opposes city scheme for seasonal pedestrianisation The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan , plans to override opposition to al fresco dining in Soho after the local council failed to apply to a scheme for seasonal pedestrianisation that is being introduced across the capital this summer. From 2027, restaurants in London’s entertainment district will be allowed to put chairs outside in the warmer months despite a longstanding local row 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 their streets throughout the summer and into autumn. However, this year, pedestrianisation has been resisted in Soho despite the area having a very popular al fresco dining scheme during the Covid-19 pandemic. Westminster council has since opposed allowing an expansion of outdoor dining in summer. Sources close to Khan said that new powers would allow him to overrule the council for the summer of 2027. When people were able to socialise outdoors during the pandemic, Soho resembled continental Europe as temporary permits and road closures allowed venues to spill out into the streets. However, the Soho Society, a residents’ group, complained about the noise caused by people drinking and dining outside, and the council wound up the scheme. Khan said his new powers from government would allow him to overrule council decisions and open up central London to outdoor dining in the summer. A source close to the mayor said: “Opening up our streets to al fresco dining and other events should be at the heart of supporting our brilliant hospitality venues over the summer and autumn. Yet the attitude of too many influential people around Soho is that bringing more fun and socialising to our streets is something to be thwarted and blocked. “With new licensing powers coming to the mayor this year, we hope things will be done differently – supporting our amazing venues that want to expand and offer even more for their customers.” Khan has said he will overrule decisions taken by Westminster council if it unfairly blocks venues from opening. This came after the Soho Society said it would be making representations on all applications for new bars and restaurants because any new openings added to the impact of noise and crime in the area. The areas in London that will receive funding from the mayor’s office to create outdoor events include four large “al fresco projects” in Barking and Dagenham, Brent, Greenwich and