Geoff Barraclough: it’s about ‘how we will remain a welcoming, innovative, inclusive, and liveable city with something on offer for everyone’

A PLAN to bolster Westminster’s nightlife has been launched, and the public is being asked to have their say.

Westminster City Council said the draft strategy, called Westminster After Dark, was a road map to balancing the late-night economy with the needs of residents and businesses.

he proposal includes installing an extra 100 CCTV cameras, improving street lighting, and expanding joint city council and police patrols to tackle anti-social behaviour.

The council has also suggested tweaking its licensing framework to create “late-night entertainment zones” in Oxford Street, Strand, and Victoria Street.

These dedicated spaces would allow new live music and entertainment venues to operate away from residential areas, the council said.

Westminster city will also require newly licensed venues specifically to assess and mitigate risks to women’s safety.

This could include extending retail hours, night-time museum openings, and opening creative workspaces.

There are also plans to host “quiet nights” with reduced noise levels, dimmed lighting, and designated calm zones.

The city council said it was also hoping that Transport for London would restore night bus services.

Tim Lord: concerns about a ‘high- crime situation in a small area where gangs operate… the council so far has failed to investigate that…’

Tim Lord, chair of the Soho Society, said: “The council says there is little it can do but in fact there is a specific action under the Licensing Act, an EMO, early morning restriction order; that temporary intervention appears to be designed for exactly this high- crime situation in a small area where gangs operate… the council so far has failed to investigate that despite our request.”

Mr Lord also referred to Metropolitan Police Service crime data for the West End, which showed there had been almost 30,000 recorded instances of theft and shoplifting between January and December 2024. There were also 2,954 violent and sexual offences recorded.

According to the city council, applying an EMO to certain parts of Soho would penalise well-run venues which would lose valuable trading hours.

It would also mean all bars closing at the same time, leading to crowded streets and potentially heightened crime and disorder, they said.

Labour councillor Geoff Barraclough, the cabinet member for planning and economic development, said: “This new strategy is our response to the obvious challenges of managing these competing demands. Following extensive engagement, Westminster After Dark explores how we will remain a welcoming, innovative, inclusive, and liveable city with something on offer for everyone.”

West End Conservative councillor Tim Barnes said many things have changed for the night-time economy since the Covid-19 pandemic, and added: “It’s been clear since 2022, after the effects of lockdown had begun to shake out, that we needed a review; and while we welcome news of this consultation, it’s worth asking why it has taken so long and how effective it will be.”

A city council spokesperson said: “Westminster After Dark is about striking the right balance, supporting responsible business growth, while ensuring residents can enjoy their homes at night.

“We are consulting on this strategy and welcome all ideas and feedback as part of the process.

“Safety is central to our plans, and we have engaged extensively with residents to shape this strategy.

“As part of our commitment to making Westminster safer, we are installing an additional 100 CCTV cameras, enhancing street lighting, and introducing a joint council and police unit to tackle anti-social behaviour and crime hotspots.”