Londoners have been told to “move to Magaluf” by a Labour councillor in a row over late-night drinking.
Westminster City councillor Paul Fisher has suggested revellers who want to party late at night should leave London, amid a debate on licensing rules.
The row began when GB News producer Charlotte Gill tweeted: “Pubs in London should be able to stay open until at least 1am every night. 2am on weekends. Clubs 4am. If you don’t like it, move. It’s a capital city.”
Labour councillor Paul Fisher, who represents West End ward (Picture: Westminster City council)
In response, Cllr Fisher said: “Maybe – just maybe – a more nuanced approach to reviving city centres *and* protecting residential amenity could work. That’s historically what London has been about. If you don’t like it, move! … to Magaluf.”
Fisher’s tweet was met with a backlash on social media.
One person tweeted: “You think young Londoners should not enjoy themselves at nightclubs in the centre of our capital, but they should go overseas to do so?
“In my “historic” London we clubbed in Soho, Mayfair, Chelsea until the early hours. Partying as Londoners have done, down through the ages.”
In a statement, Cllr Fisher said: “Soho is unique: architecturally and culturally. But its distinctiveness has been preserved over the years, at least in part by residents.
“A licensing free-for-all would simply see the residential element of Soho’s history collapse over time.
“History tells us that when residents leave there’s no one left to stand up for the character of places like Soho (to preserve its townhouses, squares and distinctive nightlife). If it loses its character, it loses its appeal.”
He added: “It is a myth that everyone in Soho is swimming in money. One third of housing in the village is social housing and it is absolutely essential that councillors like me take the issue of noise pollution seriously as a matter of environmental health.
“The previous administration at Westminster City council simply did not.”
Pictured top: Westminster City Hall in Victoria Street (Picture: Google Street View)
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