Soho pub faces ban on outdoor drinkers after 6pm after review

A pub in Soho faces a ban on drinkers and smokers outside its premises from 6pm after a review of its licence by London's Westminster City Council.

The Endurance on Berwick Street was previously allowed drinkers outside until 11pm. It will now appeal against the decision, which imposes 12 separate conditions.

Customers are not only prohibited from drinking outside after 6pm but the pub also has to keep its windows and doors closed in the evening, and no noise can be emitted from the premises.

Solicitor Julian Skeens of Jeffrey Green Russell, who represented the Endurance, told Caterersearch: "They have imposed this condition on the licence and we are appealing."

He said the pub had made several steps to find alternative areas for outdoor drinkers and smokers, including a roped off area in a side alley and the use of its back garden, but every attempt had been met with complaints by local residents and was blocked by Westminster.

"We are in the heart of Soho where core trading hours are up until 11pm. It really is open season on licensees at the moment."

Councillor Daniel Astaire, cabinet member for community protection at Westminster, said: "Unfortunately we have had continued problems with this particular pub and our environmental health officers found that the complaints of noise were entirely justified."

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By Chris Druce

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