London's West End set to become outdoor dining district — here's how it will happen

Much of the West End is to be transformed into a “continental-style” outdoor dining district this summer in a bid to prevent hundreds of pubs, restaurants and bars going bust.

Venues on dozens of streets in Covent Garden, Soho, Mayfair and Marylebone will be allowed to put tables and chairs on pavements and even in the road under radical plans unveiled today by Westminster city council.

A number of major routes, including St Martin’s Lane and Maiden Lane in Covent Garden, and Dean Street and Old Compton Street in Soho will be closed to traffic altogether for part of the day in an unprecedented move. The measures are expected to come into force on July 4 when the Government has said it will allow the hospitality sector to start up again, although this date has not yet been confirmed.

Many operators have been concerned that the two-metre social distancing rule — now under review — will make it commercially impossible to reopen.

Westminster’s bold move comes ahead of an emergency planning Bill designed to rescue pubs, restaurants and wedding venues around the country from a summer disaster.

The legislation, to be unveiled by Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick imminently, is expected to bring in:

  • Temporary permission for pubs to convert car parks into drinking and dining areas without the need for planning permission or licence changes.
  • Allowing restaurants to put up tables on rooftops and terraces without planning permission.
  • Permitting outdoor weddings subject to social-distancing rules. Gazebos with two or three open sides are expected to count as outdoor spaces, but enclosed marquees will not be allowed.

It is hoped that the extra outdoor space in the West End will mean many more of the 3,700 licensed premises will be able to relaunch successfully after lockdown.

The Covent Garden road closures will be from 11am to 11pm, and in Soho from 5pm to 11pm during the week and from noon to 11pm on Saturdays.

Other famous West End streets that will have al fresco dining and drinking on the pavements include Haymarket, Jermyn Street, Baker Street, Chiltern Street and Wardour Street.

Operators will be able to apply for a “temporary events notice” (TEN) that will enable them to put out tables and chairs. Customers will be required to sit down and at-table waiter service will be preferred. Clients will be able to use toilets inside the venues but the council is also considering providing temporary outdoor facilities.

Applications for the TENs can be turned round “in a matter of days,” said deputy leader Melvyn Caplan. Under current rules, applications for tables and chairs outside require a lengthy planning process.

The scheme, which is subject to a consultation until Sunday, is seen as an emergency stop-gap measure ahead of broader government legislation expected to come into force in late July or early August.

It is expected that the temporary road closures and other measures will be in place for three months through the peak summer season.

Rachael Robathan, leader of Westminster city council, said: “The West End is a unique global draw, and I am confident we can give it and our other famous locations a continental sheen that visitors, residents and regulars alike will enjoy.” The move comes after prominent restaurants including The Ledbury in Notting Hill and Le Caprice in St James’s said they said would not be reopening after the lockdown.

Restaurateur Richard Caring, who is hoping to reopen Le Caprice at a new location, said lack of outdoor space was a factor in closing down its long established site near The Ritz.

Kate Nicholls, of UK Hospitality, said: “We are going to need a dynamic and supportive approach to reopening hospitality businesses and Westminster council is showing positivity in its plans to get businesses back up and running.”

Boris Johnson will come under pressure to scrap the two-metre social-distancing rule from senior Conservatives tonight when he has his first proper meeting with the executive of the 1922 Committee of Tory backbenchers.

Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady told the Evening Standard: “Every day that this decision is delayed will lead to tens of thousands more people put out of work for no good reason. We should move immediately to one metre and ask people to use their judgment and common sense.”

Taking to the streets: Old Compton Street in Soho, which will be closed to traffic altogether for certain hours of the day as part of the plan (Adrian Raudaschl)
Adrian raudaschl

Of the al fresco dining move, Jonathan Downey, the founder of Hospitality Union and co-founder of London Union, which runs street food venues in the capital, said: “It’s a nice idea and it will encourage some people back out to bars, cafes and restaurants but it’s a token local response and no substitute for what we really need – an immediate and national relaxation of the 2m distancing rule so we can all start to get back to normal.”

Jamie Barber, founder of Mayfair eatery Hush and the Hache and Cabana Brasil chains, said: “I am pleased that Westminster is taking a considered and proactive approach. But so far, the government has been silent on the overarching issues of dates and required social distancing measures, so at the moment, the sector is unable to properly plan but waiting patiently.”

David Moore, who owns the Michelin-starred Pied à Terre on Charlotte Street said: “It looks like they are doing something positive. Of course Westminster have the right to change anything and we’ll see how closely this is policed as they do usually police things strictly. It’s a welcome move for people who can move their dining outside.

“It’s a nice to have and I will be watching it but we need to make sure people are encouraged to come back out. The priority is to relax the two metre rule – with that in place it’s going to be very difficult to run a restaurant. I’ve told my staff I cannot reopen with the two metre rule still in place.

“It’s not enough to make me reconsider and open on July 4.”

Moore said Pied à Terre’s 18 staff remain on furlough.

The planned road closures and changes, street-by-street

Covent Garden

  • Henrietta Street Restaurant and bar seating in street, temporary closure of road (11am-11pm)
  • Maiden Lane Restaurant and bar seating in street, temporary closure of road (11am-11pm)
  • King Street Restaurant and bar seating in street, temporary closure of road (11am-11pm)
  • Floral Street Restaurant and bar seating in street, temporary closure of road (11am-11pm)
  • Southampton Street Restaurant and bar seating in street, temporary closure of road (11am-11pm)
  • Burleigh Street Restaurant and bar seating in street, temporary closure of road (11am-11pm)
  • St Martin’s Lane Restaurant and bar seating in street, temporary closure of road (no times given)
  • St Martin’s Court Temporary extension of outdoor seating area, with more restaurant and bar seating in pedestrianised street. 
  • Edith Cavell Memorial Temporary extension of outdoor seating area, possible re-purposing of pavement space for restaurant seating.

Soho

  • Greek Street Restaurant and bar seating in street, temporary closure of road (proposed times: Monday-Friday, 5pm-11pm; Saturday, midday-11pm; Sunday, midday-10.30pm)
  • Old Compton Street Restaurant and bar seating in street, temporary closure of road (proposed times: Monday-Friday, 5pm-11pm; Saturday, midday-11pm; Sunday, midday-10.30pm)
  • Frith Street Restaurant and bar seating in street, temporary closure of road (proposed times: Monday-Friday, 5pm-11pm; Saturday, midday-11pm; Sunday, midday-10.30pm)
  • Dean Street Restaurant and bar seating in street, temporary closure of road (proposed times: Monday-Friday, 5pm-11pm; Saturday, midday-11pm; Sunday, midday-10.30pm)
  • Bateman Street Restaurant and bar seating in street, temporary closure of road (proposed times: Monday-Friday, 5pm-11pm; Saturday, midday-11pm; Sunday, midday-10.30pm)
  • Berwick Street Restaurant and bar seating in street, temporary closure of road (proposed times: Monday-Friday, 5pm-11pm; Saturday, midday-11pm; Sunday, midday-10.30pm)
  • Moor Street Restaurant and bar seating in street, temporary closure of road (proposed times: Monday-Friday, 5pm-11pm; Saturday, midday-11pm; Sunday, midday-10.30pm)
  • D’Arblay Street Restaurant and bar seating in street, temporary closure of road (no times given)
  • Upper James Street, Upper John Street and Golden Square Restaurant and bar seating in street, temporary closure of road (no times given)
  • Broadwick Street Temporary widening of footway between Marshall Street and Dufour’s Place. Temporary timed closure of road (with restaurant & bar seating in street, no times given) between Carnaby Street and Marshall Street, Berwick Street and Wardour Street.
  • Marshall Street Temporary widening of footway between Broadwick Street and Ganton Street. Temporary timed closure of road (with restaurant & bar seating in street, no times given) between Broadwick Street and Beak Street. 

Leicester Square & Chinatown

  • Lisle Street Temporary extension of outdoor seating area, with more restaurant and bar seating in pedestrianised street. 
  • Gerrard Street Temporary extension of outdoor seating area, with more restaurant and bar seating in pedestrianised street. 
  • Wardour Street Temporary widening of footway, possible repurposing of carriageway and pavement for outdoor seating between Chinatown gateway and Coventry Street. 
  • Cecil Court Temporary extension of outdoor seating area, with more restaurant and bar seating in pedestrianised street. 
  • Irving Street Temporary closure of road (no times given), with restaurant and bar seating outside National Portrait Gallery. 
  • Leicester Square ‘gateway streets’ (Leicester Street, Leicester Place, Leicester Court, Leicester Street, Bear Street and Cranbourn Alley) Temporary extension of outdoor seating area, with more restaurant and bar seating in pedestrianised street. 

St James’s

  • Panton Street Temporary road closure between Oxenden Street and Haymarket (no times given), more restaurant and bar seating in pedestrianised street. 
  • Jermyn Street Temporary widening of footway, possible repurposing of carriageway and pavement for outdoor seating. 
  • Haymarket Temporary widening of footway, possible repurposing of carriageway and pavement for outdoor seating. 

Oxford Circus District

  • Market Place and Great Castle Street Restaurant and bar seating in street, temporary closure of road (proposed times: 11am-7pm)
  • James Street Restaurant and bar seating in street, temporary closure of road between Oxford Street and either Barrett Street or Wigmore Street (proposed times: 11am-11pm or 5-11pm)

Marylebone

  • New Quebec Street Restaurant and bar seating in street, temporary closure of road (no times given)
  • Chiltern Street Temporary extension of outdoor seating area. More seating outside empty properties, providing this is supported by local community, landlords and operators.  
  • Portman Mews South Temporary widening of footway up to Portman Street Junction, possible repurposing of carriageway and pavement for outdoor seating. 
  • Dorset Street Temporary widening of footway outside 52-55, possible repurposing of carriageway and pavement for outdoor seating. 
  • Seymour Street Temporary widening of footway outside 8, possible repurposing of carriageway and pavement for outdoor seating. 
  • York Street Temporary widening of footway outside 7 Baker Street, possible repurposing of carriageway and pavement for outdoor seating. 
  • Baker Street Temporary extension of outdoor seating area outside 48-66 and 106. More seating outside empty properties, providing this is supported by local community, landlords and operators.  
  • Blandford Street Temporary widening of footway outside 44, possible repurposing of carriageway and pavement for outdoor seating. 
  • George Street Temporary extension of outdoor seating area outside 19 Baker Street and 19, 58-60, 88-90 George Street. More seating outside empty properties, providing this is supported by local community, landlords and operators.  

Paddington

  • Kendall Street Temporary widening of footway on north side, around Village Green and round to Titchbourne Street, possible repurposing of carriageway and pavement for outdoor seating. 
  • Connaught Street Temporary widening of footway on south side, possible repurposing of carriageway and pavement for outdoor seating. 
  • Porchester Place Temporary widening of footway, possible repurposing of carriageway and pavement for outdoor seating. 
  • Seymour Place Temporary widening of footway between Seymour Street and Upper Berkeley Street, possible repurposing of carriageway and pavement for outdoor seating. 
  • George Street Temporary widening of footway on south side, possible repurposing of carriageway and pavement for outdoor seating. 
  • Merchant Square Temporary extension of outdoor seating area, with more restaurant and bar seating in pedestrianised street. 
  • West End Quay Temporary extension of outdoor seating area, with more restaurant and bar seating in pedestrianised street. 

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