Yes and yes: On the record

On Wednesday 16 September, the night Westminster adopted its new licensing policy, Soho Says Yes put a question to Full Council.

The council's own consultation report shows that 81% of the 658 people who answered its questionnaire opposed keeping the West End Cumulative Impact Zone. The new policy lifts the zone from parts of Mayfair and Covent Garden. It keeps it over every street in Soho.

Joy, our founder and Soho resident since 2012, asked for two things. First, that the council's review of the policy, due within 12 to 18 months, considers a defined exception for small premises inside the zone. Second, that Soho residents have a seat on the expert panel that will advise it.

Councillor Tim Barnes, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Growth & Planning, replied: "the answers are yes and yes."

He added that "just because a venue is small, doesn't necessarily mean that it is well run." We agree. That is our whole point: judge each place on how it is run, not on a presumption that refuses it before anyone looks.

He also thanked us for "the very balanced way" the question was put, and offered to meet. We have taken him up on it.

Watch the exchange on the council webcast, from 16:09.

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