Al fresco dining in Soho photo: Ben Walton_CC2.0 

• WE are coming to the end of the council’s temporary road closure scheme in parts of Soho.

There is an obvious financial benefit for food and beverage venues in closed streets, but street closures affect all sectors of the community.

Many other businesses and residents in and near the closed streets (some of whom have been here for many years) have suffered intolerable noise and anti-social behaviour late into the night during the last 12 months, and restaurants and cafes away from the closed streets have had little if any benefit.

It’s not all caused by patrons of cafes and bars in the closed streets, but the impression is given that Soho is a party destination, and people now come to buy alcohol to drink in the street, probably costing more in clean-up operations than they spend in the corner-shops.

Much more civilised, and continental in style, is where restaurants and cafes are able to take over part of the street for their tables and chairs, and there is room for traffic to move freely – at no more than the regulation 20mph.

Pedestrians and those in wheelchairs or with pushchairs can pass easily on the pavement and, importantly, emergency vehicles also have good access.

There has been a willingness to tolerate the downside of road closures in order to support our food and beverage outlets, which are an important part of what makes Soho special.

But they contribute – much to the surprise of many as they are very vocal – well under half of the local economy and workforce. Other business sectors have suffered just as much during the pandemic.

When considering the future of Soho after the temporary road closure programme is lifted at the end of September, it is essential that our council considers the needs of all sectors of the community.

There will be winners and losers among the food and beverage venues in a continental-style system as described above – as there have been under the current road closures.

It needs to be done sensitively, with nearby residents taken into account regarding closure times. Other local authorities have a cut-off time of 10pm and this seems reasonable.

Continental-style al fresco will enhance the character of Soho, and not damage it as the last 12 months have done, and will put all sectors of the Soho community on a more even footing.

I speak as a resident of over 50 years, who worked in the film industry, and is committed to the future of this very special place.

LESLIE HARDCASTLE, W1