Two Soho cafes could be forced to shut after being fined thousands of pounds for repeatedly putting tables and chairs outside and staying open beyond their opening hours “operating as a bar”. Neighbouring Berwick Street restaurants Mediterranean Café and Violet’s have been accused of breaching their licences on “numerous occasions” by Westminster City Council.
Both premises, which are owned by the same company, have already faced enforcement action for the use of “unauthorised tables and chairs” as well as staying open beyond their opening hours and serving alcohol without food. A report prepared by Westminster’s council officers said: “The licensees have used tables and chairs outside both restaurants without the necessary consents for many years….
“The pavement has been regularly obstructed and the furniture on occasion has extended onto the carriageway putting customers using the tables and chairs, pedestrians passing the premises on the road, and drivers at risk.”. The council previously reviewed the cafes’ licences in 2021 after it traded beyond its permitted hours and for breaking Covid regulations that were in place at the time.
The council report explained that the cafes were also found to have operated outside of their opening hours and used unlicensed tables and chairs between September 2022 and August 2024. Soho Kitchen and Bar Ltd, the company which was the previous licence holder at the bar, was fined £4,887 for unlicensed street trading on August 7.
