We are very concerned that the Government is considering giving the Mayor of London new “call in powers” on local licensing applications.
This is another blatant power grab by Sir Sadiq Khan. Not content with stripping Westminster City Council from managing Oxford Street so he can slam through his disastrous plans to pedestrianise this major thoroughfare, he now wants to silence local people and councillors when it comes to licensing decisions.
We know how important it is to strike a balance between business needs and the quality of life for local people. The hospitality industry in central London was badly hit by the pandemic and has struggled to rebuild, but that doesn’t mean we need a free-for-all licensing system which ignores local people’s views.
Westminster is a place where local people and businesses coexist side by side but we must ensure that our local neighbourhoods, whether in Covent Garden, Soho, Pimlico, Belgravia or anywhere else are not saturated by bars, restaurants and clubs; not all closing at the same time into the early hours of the morning; and ensuring there are conditions attached to licences to manage deliveries and refuse collections.
If you agree with us that it is Westminster City Council, not Mayor Khan, who should decide local licensing applications, please sign our petition and help us send a clear message to this Labour Government and Labour Mayor of London - hands off our licensing decisions!