A new “battle of Soho” has erupted, pitting business leaders against Westminster council and local residents, whom they accuse of killing the boisterous vitality that makes it a world-famous destination.
A group representing some 150 business chiefs and owners led by John James, managing director of property owner Soho Estates, has written to the council, the Mayor and the new Westminster MP Rachel Blake expressing its profound frustration at what it sees as the high number of planning and licence applications being turned down by the Labour-run authority — under pressure from local voters.
