Here’s our November West End Action Report with news and updates about Soho, Fitzrovia and Mayfair as well as details of some of the issues we’ve taken up on behalf of local residents. We hope you find it useful and informative.
Sarah Littleton and Tim Lord have joined Councillor Patrick Lilley as the three Labour candidates for the West End Ward for next year’s Council elections.
GET IN TOUCH Contact Patrick if there’s something in your street or block that needs action or an issue he can assist with. He will always do his best to help.
- Email: plilley@westminster.gov.uk
- Phone: 020 7641 5377 – leave a message and he will get back to you.
Patrick holds an Advice Surgery on the second Saturday of each month at 68 Dean Street W1D 4QJ in Soho (10-11am) and at Mayfair Library, 23 South Audley Street W1K 2PB, Mayfair (11.30-12.30pm). Just drop in – no appointment needed. The next one will be on 13 December 2025.
Report It!
You can help to get problems sorted quickly by using the Council’s online Report It service. Use it to report dumped rubbish, fly tipping, overflowing bins, broken street lights, uneven pavements, potholes, animal welfare concerns, anti-social behaviour, noise nuisance, dumped e-bikes and much more.
Renters’ Rights Act – The New Law
The Government’s Renters’ Rights Act is now law! It’s a historic and transformative step for tenants, giving them stronger protections and greater security:
- No-fault evictions ended: Landlords must provide a valid reason to regain possession of a property.
- Periodic tenancies: All assured tenancies become open-ended, and no longer fixed-term, for greater stability.
- Rent increases: Landlords can raise rent only once a year, and tenants can challenge excessive increases at a Tribunal.
- Pets: Landlords cannot unreasonably refuse tenants’ pets.
- Decent Homes: All private rented homes must meet minimum safety and quality standards.
- Fair renting: Discrimination based on benefits or family status is banned.
- Bidding wars: Rental bidding is prohibited.
These changes will give tenants the confidence and security to approach the Council for help without fear of reprisals from their landlord, ensuring renters can access support when needed.
Here in Westminster — home to the largest private rented sector in the UK — the Labour-controlled Westminster City Council has already taken action to protect renters and support responsible landlords:
- Private Renters’ Charter: Launched earlier this year, giving renters guidance on their rights and how to challenge unfair practices.
- Selective Licensing Scheme: Rolling out across most of the City in November, requiring landlords to hold a licence and meet minimum enforceable standards – allowing the Council to support responsible landlords while also protecting tenants.
- Private Renters’ Forum: A dedicated forum for tenants to raise concerns, share experiences, and shape the Council’s strategy for renters.
- Proactive enforcement: Inspectors routinely check properties for hazards such as damp, mould, and gas or fire risks, taking swift action when homes are unsafe.
- Supporting renters: The Council continues to provide advice, guidance, and practical support so tenants can ensure safe and secure housing.
Candidate Sarah Littleton said: “The Renters’ Rights Bill is a really welcome step which strengthens what Westminster Labour has already been doing locally — giving tenants robust legal protections on top of local and practical support.”
Westminster Labour is proud to stand up for renters — delivering safe, secure, and fair housing for everyone in our City.
Pedicabs – £100 Spot Fines for Drivers
Over the summer, Councillor Patrick Lilley proposed a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to address nuisance behaviour by pedicab drivers.
Once enacted, the PSPO gives new powers to Westminster Council, TfL and the Police. Enforcement teams and police officers will be able to order pedicabs to leave an area and may treat a group of four or more pedicabs, either stationary or moving, as an obstruction to the public highway. Failure to comply will result in a £100 on-the-spot fine for drivers. The new rules are anticipated to come into effect on 18 November this year, in time for the busy Christmas period.
Labour Candidate Tim Lord commented: “I have lived in Soho for 34 years and know first-hand the problems from unregulated pedicabs that have plagued residents and businesses for years. Not just in Soho, but in Mayfair and Fitzrovia. Top marks to Patrick for getting Westminster Council to act.”
New Transport for London Regulations
In addition to the action against pedicabs by Westminster Council, TfL will soon finalise its own detailed regulations of the pedicab industry.
Tim worked closely with our MP Rachel Blake to ensure that the new TfL rules will include a complete ban on amplified sound – a key issue for residents. In addition, there will be enhanced DBS checks for all drivers, regulated fares, and fixed registration plates on every pedicab.
The formal regulation by TfL, expected to come into force early next year, will give stronger protection for visitors, pedicab users, residents and businesses across Soho, Mayfair, Marylebone and Fitzrovia.
Dumped E-bikes – Council introduces £100 On-The-Spot Fines for Lime and Forest
The West End Labour Team has welcomed the recent introduction by Westminster Council of fines for e-bikes abandoned on pavements and streets.
In the first week, the Council issued more than 150 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) of £100 each directly to Lime and Forest for dumped bikes that create safety hazards for pedestrians.
The Council estimates it could issue up to 50 FPNs a day and total fines could reach more than £1million within a year. Westminster Council plans to reinvest any surplus from enforcement back into making its streets safer and more accessible.
Westminster is the first Council to roll out a comprehensive borough-wide approach of issuing on-the-spot fines, in contrast to the ‘seize and return’ model used by other councils. The Council says seizing and storing bikes requires a huge amount of resources, cannot match the scale of the problem, and believes fines are a more direct and effective deterrent.
Despite huge improvements since the introduction of designated parking bays in 2023, the Council is still seeing non-compliance in busy areas such as the West End. There is a particular problem in Soho Square and Berkeley Square, with bike companies lining up bikes next to parking bays and creating a major obstruction of the carriageway and pavement.
The Council has written to Lime and Forest setting out its expectations, including the rapid removal of obstructing bikes and more staff in hotspot areas.
Met Crackdown on West End Crime
It was great to hear that the Met Police conducted a week-long operation in the West End recently which resulted in the arrest of more than 140 people, including phone thieves and shoplifters. More here.
SOHO
Biker Gatherings
The West End Labour Action Team has been at the forefront of securing co-ordinated action by the Met Police and Westminster Council against nuisance biker gatherings in Soho, particularly in Frith and Old Compton Streets.
Local businesses, including Bar Italia, Ronnie Scott’s, She Bar and the King Edward Theatre, together with residents, have suffered extreme noise, fumes and aggressive revving.
Police have already used a Dispersal Order, and will now be using the new Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO) – supported by Westminster’s expanded CCTV network – to clamp down on this behaviour, including £100 fines.
The new PSPO will also be used against drivers of cars causing noise and nuisance through sounding car horns at night, engine revving and blaring music.
New Playground for Soho Parish School
Westminster Council has approved £167,200 council investment from the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) to improve and modernise the playground at Soho Parish School with play structures and sensory planting.
Soho Heritage Map Launched
Labour-led Westminster Council funded a year-long audit of Soho’s rich history, which has now been captured in a new interactive digital heritage map. Explore nearly 700 recorded heritage assets at www.planforsoho.org
Soho Kids Christmas Lights
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson joined residents and Councillor Patrick Lilley to learn about the Soho Kids Christmas Lights Project. This much-loved annual tradition, part-funded by Westminster Council, features children’s designs used for the festive lights that brighten Soho’s streets each winter.
Ingestre Court – Designing Out Anti-Social Behaviour
Councillor Lilley continues to work with the Ingestre Court Residents Association to secure funding from the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) from Westminster Council for a perimeter fence at the base of the block.
This often-overlooked space has become a gathering spot for takeaway diners and delivery riders, anti-social behaviour, litter and occasional drug use.
The proposed structure, costing around £125,000, will help restore safety and amenity for residents by “designing out” antisocial behaviour.
Improving Accessibility – Mayfair Library
Westminster Council and the Grosvenor Estate are exploring options for a Sesame Lift to enable wheelchair access at Mayfair Library. These feats of British engineering can be seen here: https://www.sesameaccess.com/
As well as wheelchair access, Councillor Lilley continues to press for a ground-floor WC and improved accessibility as part of broader library enhancements at the Library.
St Anne’s Gardens
Westminster Council has already awarded St Anne’s Church £50,000 for archaeological investigations and planning work to make the gardens fully accessible. The Labour Action Team continues to champion the next tranche of Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL) funding to see this project through to completion.
Berwick Street Parking
Berwick Street traders, cafés and residents have reported persistent parking abuse and unclear signage.
Westminster’s Head of Parking and the West End Neighbourhood Coordinator joined Councillor Patrick Lilley for a walkabout in Soho to review the problems.
Faded double-yellow lines have been repainted, better signage has been agreed and enforcement has been stepped up to protect the market’s daily setup. Berwick Street is a market street by Act of Parliament and deserves to be properly protected.
Duck Lane Bins
Businesses have not been storing bins properly, and waste lorries have been leaving them in the wrong locations. We’ve asked Westminster officers to speak to both businesses and contractors to resolve this frustrating issue for residents.
LGBT Safety in Soho
So many residents and visitors value Soho’s diversity, yet several LGBT venues have raised concerns about safety for customers and staff, especially after dark.
As Westminster’s LGBT Champion, Councillor Patrick Lilley, has set up an LGBT Venues Forum bringing together venues, the Police and City Inspectors.
Reports of homophobic abuse, including incidents at Soho’s Prowler Store, are being taken seriously, and police have shared guidance on removing aggressive individuals safely. Westminster Council and Met officers will be offering support and advice to affected individuals.
Rupert Street is the scene of rising anti-social behaviour (ASB), and we have called on the Police to increase patrols to deter street dealing and ASB.
G-A-Y Bar Closure
Councillor Lilley has written to Soho Estates, landlords of the Old Compton Street site, urging them to find an LGBTQ-friendly use for the venue and retain and support Soho’s diverse and inclusive nightlife.
Fly-Posting in Soho
Residents have long been frustrated by illegal fly-posting. Councillor Lilley has walked the area with residents and Veolia staff. Officers are now gathering evidence for stronger enforcement action.
FITZROVIA
New Parklets on Cleveland Street – People Power
Fitzrovia is recognised as one of the most green-space-deprived parts of Westminster. Local residents and Councillor Patrick Lilley met with the University of Westminster to discuss its major Hanson Street redevelopment and urged support for three new parklets on Cleveland Street.
When the University refused, Councillor Lilley — working with the Fitzrovia West Neighbourhood Forum and Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Association — took the case directly to the Strategic Planning Committee.
The Committee agreed unanimously, insisting the University fund the parklets with tree planting and ASB-resistant seating as a condition of approval of their major development.
More New Street Trees for Fitzrovia
Nine new street trees will be planted across Fitzrovia this winter as part of Westminster’s 2025 Tree Planting Programme:
- Bolsover Street – 3 paper birch trees
- Rathbone Place – 2 paper birch trees
- Greenwell Street – 1 paper birch tree
- Eastcastle, Langham & Riding House Streets – 1 ornamental pear each
Candidate Sarah Littleton said: “I’m delighted Westminster Council is planting new trees in Fitzrovia — they’ll improve air quality, provide shade in summer and support biodiversity across Fitzrovia and Soho.”
Fitz West Neighbourhood Forum AGM
Councillor Lilley took questions at the AGM and reported on successfully funded CIL projects, including a defibrillator at the Fitzrovia Community Centre and the Council-funded public art on the northern side of Holcroft Court honouring anti-slavery campaigners Thomas and Fanny Holcroft.
Tackling Fly-Tipping
Residents raised concerns about fly-tipping and poor waste management on Langham and Great Portland Streets, amongst others. Councillor Lilley brought officers to meet residents. Actions are underway to ensure rubbish is set out only within the collection windows. Westminster provides two daily collections.
CCTV in Fitzrovia
Councillor Lilley joined City Inspectors and Housing Officers on a walkabout to locate new CCTV sites. Four new cameras are proposed for Carburton Street, Great Titchfield Street, Clipstone Mews, and Clipstone Street — linking into the Council’s 24/7 monitored network of 200 cameras.
The previous Conservative administration scrapped the CCTV network in 2017; Labour has now fully restored it
Bolsover Street Hot Spot
Reports of drug use and anti-social behaviour outside the Media Centre on Bolsover Street have been flagged to the Met Police Safer Neighbourhood Team and Council for action.
Illegal Short-Term Lets
Residents of Holcroft Court and other West End Council-owned blocks have linked anti-social behaviour and noise to illegal short-term lets such as Airbnb, which are banned in Council leasehold properties.
The Council is investigating and action will be taken against leaseholders who are found to have broken their lease conditions.
MAYFAIR
Amazing Dinosaur Public Art Returns to Berkeley Square
The David Aaron Gallery has partnered with Westminster Council to bring public art back to Berkeley Square — in the form of a life-sized Triceratops skull sculpture carved from a 27-tonne block of Carrara marble by Paul Vanstone.
Councillor Ryan Jude, Cabinet Member for Culture, said: “This sculpture reinforces Westminster Council’s commitment to creative placemaking and public art. I’d like to thank Jonny Aaron for his vision and passion that has brought this unique sculpture to the public.”
Local ward Councillor Patrick Lilley agreed: “Free landmark artworks like this enrich our streets and bring world-class culture into daily life.”
Mayfair Community Meetings
Councillor Lilley joined residents and local businesses for a number of community meetings in Mayfair in recent months, including the Residents Society of Mayfair and St James talk on the history of Mayfair by Dr Francis Boorman, the Friends of Mount Street Gardens, Mayfair Neighbourhood Forum. Friends of Mayfair Library. Issues raised included drinking and drug use in Mount Street Gardens and disability access to the library.
Oxford Street Part Pedestrianisation
The West End Labour Team supports Westminster Council’s original plan for Oxford Street — wider pavements, more trees, better seating and full public transport access. We are pleased that buses will still run on the eastern leg from IKEA to Tottenham Court Road.
While Labour Westminster Council still opposes the Mayor’s proposed Mayoral Development Corporation, we will work constructively with City Hall to secure the best outcome for residents and businesses.