Nimbys are killing London's nightlife, says owner of Ronnie Scott's
London's nightlife is under threat from a 'vocal minority' complaining about noise, the owner of Soho's world-famous jazz club Ronnie Scott's has warned.
John James has said proposals for pubs and clubs in Soho to host more 'quiet nights' threatened to 'kill an international city' and would put the capital far behind rivals such as Paris, Milan and New York.
Labour-led Westminster City Council is consulting on plans to push pubs and clubs in Soho to hold more quiet and alcohol-free activities after 6pm to make central London more peaceful for residents.
Mr James told The Telegraph: 'Every other high street in the land would be deeply envious of what Soho has. And yet we, by the virtue of Westminster City Council becoming restrictive in the granting of planning and licences, are trying to kill off our high street.'
The 72-year-old tycoon runs Soho Estates, a £1.1bn property empire originally built by Paul Raymond, the self-made millionaire and soft-porn baron dubbed the 'King of Soho' who died in 2008. Mr James, who is the son-in-law of Mr Raymond, is preparing to hand over the running of the business to his daughter Fawn next month.
Mr James, who is also a board member of the Soho Business Alliance, said: 'We cannot be competitive if you listen to a resident who says they want it to be quiet after 11 o'clock at night – not only on a weekday, but weekends, any time.
'Westminster are overly listening to the minority resident view, but it seems to be the one that is listened to more keenly than others. It doesn't take into account any of the opinions of thousands of visitors.'
In its Westminster After Dark consultation, the council said its policies would help 'businesses to thrive, visitors to enjoy the city's attractions, and residents to get a decent night's sleep'. Proposals include closing central venues from midnight while 'essential services like cleaning and transport take precedence'.
'Mind-boggling' proposal
Mr James described a proposal from Westminster to shift the late-night economy to new 'entertainment zones' in the Strand, Oxford Street and Victoria as 'mind-boggling', adding: 'Who the hell dreamed this up?'
Businesses would also be hit with a so-called late-night levy, a tax on venues supplying alcohol late into the evening. That tax would be used to fund initiatives to reduce 'crime and disorder' in the area.
The consultation has come under fire from business leaders in the area, who have warned that its crackdown on noise will put bars and pubs out of business.
James Raynor, the chief executive of Grosvenor's property company, which owns much of nearby Mayfair, told The Telegraph: 'If you start to limit those sorts of activities, you're going to put a lot of businesses out of business. Which is going to make a lot of people unemployed, which is going to cost the country money and not generate tax revenue.'
Mr Raynor, who is also the incoming chairman of the Westminster Property Association, added: 'Part of the attractiveness of living in [Soho] is being part of it. If people are there and uncomfortable, that's a shame, you don't want them to be. [But] it's a bit like living in Hounslow and then moaning about aeroplanes.'
Mr James said that issues around public safety should be addressed by more investment in the police service, rather than putting more burdens on businesses.
Geoff Barraclough, a Westminster councillor and cabinet member for planning and economic development, said: 'The measures we're consulting on have been designed to add to, not take away from, existing nightlife.
'We want everyone to be able to come to the city and have a great time. Lots of people want to go out for a meal and a few drinks with their friends or go to a club and we'll support that, even designating new areas for late night licences.
'We're looking at creating greater variety, including family-friendly, non-alcoholic alternatives like cinemas and bowling alleys. All of this would be on top of – not instead of – what's already on offer in the city.'
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