Campaign to pedestrianise Soho finds success as council confirms details in time for ‘Super Saturday’

Back in business: 17 streets across the area will be pedestrianised in the evenings
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After winning more than 6,500 signatures in support – among them Bill Nighy, Orlando Bloom and countless restaurants and bars – a campaign to pedestrianise much of Soho has found some success.

From this July 4, the so-called "Super Saturday", 17 streets across the district will now be temporarily car free, including Greek Street, Old Compton Street, Frith Street and Dean Street.

While there remains some back and forth between Westminster City Council and hospitality bosses to finalise details, it’s thought that most of the street closures will be between 5pm and 11pm every evening. Staff from across Soho have volunteered to martial the gates to ensure the roads stay clear of traffic.

It’s hoped that the move will encourage Londoners to head into the centre, as leading industry figures call on Boris Johnson and Sadiq Khan to help with a feared lack of custom.

It’s also thought the measures will pave the way for Soho’s restaurateurs to offer al fresco dining, which should help them counter the loss of custom incurred as consequence of social distancing.

Though business owners will still need to apply for new licenses to serve in the streets, the council has introduced a fast track system to push through applications more quickly than usual, between five and 10 days.

The news comes as the government’s Business and Planning Bill has passed through the House of Commons, and is set to be considered in the Lords. The bill will allow businesses across England to apply to their local authority for a so-called ‘pavement license’ to serve outdoors, while also deregulating some licensing laws to allow certain businesses to sell alcohol for consumption off premises.

For more information, including a list and map of the 17 streets affected, visit saveoursoho.co.uk

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