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Last Update:
Friday 2nd December, 2005

PUBLICATION

By MAIRI MACDONALD

SECTIONS

NAVIGATION

DON’T TURN MAYFAIR INTO SOHO

Activists claim they are being penalised by late drinking

MAYFAIR will become another Soho unless City Hall stops handing out late-night licenses, worried residents have claimed.
More than 100 people packed into a meeting at St Mark’s Church, in North Audley Street, on Monday, to call for Westminster Council to redesignate Mayfair as a “stress area” like neighbouring Soho and Covent Garden. Dozens of pubs and bars in Mayfair have been allowed to stay open later under the new licensing act that came into force eight days ago.
But in Soho, the council’s policy guidelines block any venues who want to extend their opening hours. Residents fear that bar owners are setting up venues in Mayfair, bypassing the rule.
And residents argue they are already seeing the effect in more anti-social behaviour.
Ron Whelan, chairman of the Mayfair Action Group, said: “We want to get a freeze on new licence applications. I have tried before to appeal at licensing meetings and it was a nightmare even to get heard. They don’t care about residents. Getting a stress area would not solve the problem but it means it won’t get any worse.”
Conservative councillor, Ian Wilder, who showed a film at the meeting showing alcohol-fuelled trouble on the streets, said: “You’ve got to be as tough as nails and if you are not they will ruin Mayfair. The council are nice people but they are not tough enough to stand up against lawyers and nightclub owners alone.”
Mr Whelan added: “I am concerned about bars opening late in Lancashire Court and causing a disturbance but others have voiced concern about Savile Row and Vigo Street. We don’t want it to become like another Soho.”
Kirk Mitchell, of the Grosvenor and Mayfair Residents’ Association, said: “With the new legislative powers, the fear is late night bars springing up and disrupting residents’ lives.”
Campaigners are also considering whether Mayfair could be considered as a “buffer zone” if the council refuse to classify Mayfair as a stress area. This would mean City Hall would consider the proximity of Soho as a busy late-night area when considering licence applications in Mayfair.

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