Westminster Council seeks residents views on night-time strategy

Westminster Council is seeking the views of residents as it puts together it first evening and night-time strategy, known as “Westminster After Dark”.

In a letter sent out to community groups inviting residents to comment, the council says the “needs of business need to be balanced with those of residents and visitors”.

It’s new strategy document “will shape the development of Council policies related to planning, licensing, public protection and many other areas”.

“We have created a questionnaire for residents to share their views on the local evening and night-time environment, highlighting the positives and negatives that may encourage or deter you from using it,” says the council.

The Fitzrovia News understands that community organisations feel that too many participants from the trade and their lobby have been involved in the development of the strategy, and far too few residents.

Not enough weight has been placed on the costs of night life to residents, such as crime and noise nuisance.

A recent report for Westminster Council found that the West End night-time economy is “a clear driver of alcohol-related crime” with most of these offences taking place in the St James’s and West End wards.

“Around 40 percent of all violent crimes are alcohol-related. This would equate to 6,997 violent crimes recorded in Westminster in the last year at an estimated cost of £85mn. While health, police and other public services deal with the consequences of alcohol-related violence, such staff are also victims,” stated the report.

Westminster After Dark: Resident Survey. The questionnaire is anonymous, and the responses will be reviewed alongside all other feedback as we develop our strategy. Deadline for responses is Sunday 15 September 2024. Residents can also send additional information directly to the council to the Westminster After Dark Project Team at westminsterafterdark@westminster.gov.uk