Soho’s pubs out on the pavements

Published: 1 July, 2011

• I HAVE been a Soho resident for 32 years and I chair the Berwick Street Community Group.

I am disabled and have trouble with mobility and I use a crutch.

Walking to Berwick Street on June 16 at about 6.30pm, I tried to pass the mass of people drinking outside the John Snow pub on Broadwick and Lexington streets. 

There was a good deal of traffic (Soho gridlock goes on, Letters June 24) and I asked to be let through, and tried to step over the glasses and bags. Most people were unco-operative and said I should walk in the road, despite being incapacitated.  

I rang the city council, who assured me they would deal with it. I made clear it was not just this particular pub in Soho that habitually floods the streets outside their premises, particularly on evenings at the end of the week. 

I took this picture on Friday June 24 and… nothing has changed.  

Most pubs in Westminster are busy on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Taking advantage of the pavements is also useful for them in view of the smoking ban. However, they are paying nothing towards the rates or upkeep of the public thoroughfare for this, whereas a small restaurant or café is forced to pay exorbitant rates for placing perhaps a couple of tables close to their premises. 

Many establishments provide a line or rope dividing the pavement, and sometimes a member of staff assists to ensure this is observed. 

MARK TEVERSON, W1