Fears expressed over lack of social distancing and late-night parties in Soho as lockdown eases

By Julia Gregory, Local Democracy Reporter

Residents are calling for more controls over the number of people flocking into Soho as lockdown eases.

Some of them say the noise and concern about the pandemic spreading is making them think about moving.

After months when pubs and restaurants were shuttered, Soho is attracting revellers again and many venues reopened on July 4 – so-called Super Saturday.

But in some hotspots the number of people are causing concern because of worries that coronavirus could spread amongst the crowds.

Ward councillor Pancho Lewis wants a rethink as hundreds of people are gathering in Old Compton Street on Friday and Saturday nights to get together with their friends.

He said: “I am worried about the public health impact and the impact on residents, they should not have to put up with it.”

He said the number of revellers has increased over the past few weekends, although “nowhere near as bad as July 4 when it was an absolute disaster”, in the heart of Soho.

He said the council needed to bring in some changes to make it safer for everyone and help ensure people maintained social distancing.

He said: “They need to make sure everyone’s sitting down. The whole premise of al fresco is people sitting down.”

And he also suggested policing the number of people going into the area – a system used at Columbia Road Flower Market.

One Soho Square resident said they were concerned by parties and gatherings which are lasting well into the morning after the night before.

They said it was quiet before coronavirus and the subsequent easing of lockdown, but now hundreds of people are visiting and they are concerned about the lack of social distancing.

And they said some incidents were “very frightening” and described people fighting, excessive drinking and drug use.

“Soho is changing and getting really ugly. There are some people too scared to report what’s going on.”

And they added: “The worst thing is you’ll leave Soho.”

Councillor Lewis said he has raised his concerns about the lack of social distancing in the area around Old Compton Street with the council’s leaders.

And at the weekend, Cllr Lewis tweeted: “This isn’t alright. We’re in the middle of a pandemic and it’s unacceptable for these scenes to continue.

“This is not OK and it’s beyond the pale to ask the Soho community to put up with them.”

However he said it was not all doom and gloom, adding: “There are some things in terms of hospitality reopening that should be celebrated, but there are some incidents which are not working.”

A Westminster City council spokeswoman said the authority was  “aware of a few crowding incidents in Soho over the weekend. We believe these were caused by street drinkers and are unrelated to hospitality premises or al fresco dining schemes in the area”.

It has put in enhanced measures to reduce crowding and is working with police to monitor what is going on.

Measures include:

• Reminding businesses of their responsibilities and licensing measures, with council officers visiting bars and restaurants to enforce a  ‘no licence, no trade’  message.
• Demarcated enclosures will be installed around outdoor seating areas in central locations, so the space is only used  by people  using tables and chairs,  with  venues to take responsibility for their own ‘al fresco’ areas.
• Asking customers to book and plan ahead, only going to places they have booked and not gathering in streets where crowds could pose a threat to public health.
• The council will ask businesses to run  a ’no seat, no service‘ policy.
• It will also use enforcement powers  if there are problems.

The spokeswoman added: “The vast majority of our visitors and businesses are behaving responsibly and adhering to social distancing guidance – allowing the West End to generate desperately needed income.

“However, it’s important that everyone plays their part and we shall make further adjustments if crowding takes place again.”