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Soho to lose sex appeal as council closes shops
Katharine Barney5 Mar 2009
Soho is set to lose its last illegal sex shops.
Westminster council said at least 15 would be closed. It also threatened to toughen rules on lap dancing clubs.
Council leader Colin Barrow has repeatedly vowed to clean up Soho in time for the Olympics and today launched a fresh attack on the area's "seediness". "There is no place in a civilised society for the drug-dealing and anti-social behaviour which has for too long been the scourge of Soho," he said.
Supporters of the area's sex trade accused him of sanitising a landmark that attracts tens of thousands of tourists a year. But Mr Barrow said: "Soho is a hub for creative industries which generate nearly £15billion a year. The vast majority of visitors would never venture anywhere near the seedy premises, and the view that the sex and drugs are part of its 'charm' is simply wrong."
A spokesman for the Soho Society said: "We have nothing against following the laws of the land, but it still needs to retain its character." The council's move follows the recent closure of 51 illegal sex shops and "clip joints".
Under the plans lap dancing clubs could be forced to apply for "sexual establishment" instead of entertainment licences. Only 18 such licences are available for the borough. There will also be new inspections of Soho food outlets.
Reader views (10)
Didn't know Soho had any sex appeal.
- Serox, London, 06/03/2009 10:18
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No wonder this country is in a mess - rather than save the nation financially and from knives, murders etc., they pick on the oldest profession in the world.
- Kathy Doyle, London, 05/03/2009 23:40
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I shall miss "Sohodom" and will not go more...ah...
- Patrick Gerassi, VIGO - SPAIN, 05/03/2009 16:48
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So the only houses of ill repute we will have left are the Coucil offices.
- John Smith, London , England, 05/03/2009 16:17
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They will be replaced with Starbucks coffee shops and bland brand named shops as happened in charring cross road,corporate britain will be/is a sad soul less place not worth visiting and will be hell to live in.In my opinion its one of the most miserable city's in Europe now,give it 10 yrs and it will be awful.
- Kev, London-UK, 05/03/2009 15:31
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This sanitisation of Soho is so dreary. Not content with reducing the number of legal nightclubs in the area, Tory-run Westminster Council seems to be hell-bent on draining every last drop of joy out of the place.
- Charlie, Soho, London, 05/03/2009 11:30
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The spokesman said 'we have nothing against the laws of the land but it still needs to retain its character' so does that mean it's OK to trade outside the law and rip people off !! If they are breaking the law prosecute them. If they break the terms of the liquor license revoke it. London has enough problems without pandering to these types of people.
- Nick Holland, glasgow, 05/03/2009 10:50
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What does the Olympics have to do with it? Do we all have to be well-behaved for the "Olympics"?
- Neil M., london uk,, 05/03/2009 10:26
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In case no one noticed Soho has been dead for several years.
- Peter Noterfed, Paris, France, 05/03/2009 10:22
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Good and about time.
- Steve, London, 05/03/2009 10:14
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