Soho Summer Street Festival extended

The partial pedestrianisation of streets in Soho is to be extended until the end of October, Westminster Council has confirmed.

The so-called ‘Soho Summer Street Festival,’ which saw 17 streets across the district pedestrianised, was declared a “huge victory” last month, enabling 90% of hospitality operators to reopen within the pedestrianised zone.

In light of extra measures limiting restaurants’ ability to trade in the coming weeks, the council has granted businesses a month-long extension of the initiative, allowing them to operate al fresco until the end of next month.

“We will always put the health of our residents and visitors first while doing everything possible to support our city through these very challenging times,” said council officials in an email to businesses.

“We will keep working with residents, businesses and other key partners to identify local schemes that could benefit specific locations at certain times in a safe manner.”

The news comes as a possible London total lockdown looms, with ministers said to be preparing an emergency plan for certain parts of the country.

If its latest restrictions don’t have the desired effect on rising infection rates, the government could impose a minimum two-week closure on pubs, restaurants and bars in the capital as well as several cities in the North.

Households would also be banned indefinitely from meeting each other in any indoor location, but schools, shops, factories and offices would stay open.