As part of the “Westminster After Dark” strategy to support a safe, diverse, exciting and evening and night time economy, Westminster Labour Councillors brought together more than a dozen LGBTQ+ venue owners and managers for a new “LGBTQ+ Venues Forum”, held on 23 September.
The meeting, chaired by Councillor Patrick Lilley, was attended by representatives from much-loved Soho venues including The Yard, Rupert Street, Duke of Wellington, Admiral Duncan, Ku Bars, Comptons and *Halfway to Heaven. Senior officers from Westminster City Council also joined the discussion.
The forum was convened in response to the growing need for LGBT+ venues to have a voice in the increasingly challenging economic climate for hospitality.
An early concern raised by participants was the need for venues, Westminster Council, police and landlords to work together to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Soho. Councillor Lilley heard calls for joined-up thinking to both discourage crime and for more rapid responses from police when there are incidents.
Venues were encouraged to learn about the rollout of 30 new CCTV cameras, monitored 24/7 in Soho, including key streets with venues including Old Compton, Frith, Greek, Wardour and Rupert Street.
Westminster Council is committed to improved engagement with its City Inspectors. The forum heard about an extra 80 Met Police Officers promised by the Mayor of London and new powers (PSPOs) for the Council and the Met to tackle anti-social behaviour.
Participants agreed that more must be done. A smaller working group of venue managers will now meet with Councillors, City Inspectors and the Met Police in the coming weeks to agree practical steps to make venues and the surrounding streets safer and gay-friendly. Councillor Lilley agreed to share the location of cameras so that customers can feel safer bar hopping around Soho at any hour. The wider forum will reconvene in January.
This Forum is one of the first initiatives delivered under Westminster After Dark**, demonstrating Labour’s commitment to making the city’s nightlife safer, more inclusive, and more welcoming for everyone.
Councillor Patrick Lilley, West End Councillor and Westminster’s LGBTQ+ Champion, said:
“Soho’s LGBTQ+ venues add a value to Soho out of all proportion to the number of bars. This new forum is about working hand-in-hand with venues to protect and strengthen the scene. By making sure LGBTQ+ voices are heard at the highest level of the Council, we can ensure Soho continues to thrive as a place where everyone feels welcome.”
Councillor Iman Less, Westminster’s Night-time Champion, added:
“Our evening and night-time economy is one of the things that makes Westminster special, and LGBTQ+ venues are at the heart of it. They create community, identity and joy. I am proud to stand alongside venue owners, Councillors and partners to make sure Soho’s nightlife continues to flourish for generations to come.”