UK’s largest one-stop-shop for LGBT community could open in Soho (15/01/2008)

Westminster City Council is supporting an initiative for a “one-stop-shop” for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender residents in Soho - offering health and social care services, business support and an exhibition space all under one roof.

The ambitious proposal by the local community – which could model itself on the famous San Francisco LGBT Center and could be the largest dedicated LGBT centre in the UK - is part of a wider Soho Action Plan launched by Westminster City Council this week (Jan15).

The council is due to carry out a feasibility study into an LGBT centre after a previous consultation exercise showed the idea was popular among residents – of which up to 10 per cent are lesbian, gay, bi-sexual or transgender. The study is expected to be completed this year.

Supporters of the scheme say they want somewhere they can meet to set up and run community groups, get medical and social advice and care, run small businesses and even exhibit their own art or other projects.

Other proposals include creating a virtual museum to record and showcase Soho’s vibrant history and a £25million plan to revamp the 1930’s Grade II listed Marshall Street baths into a modern leisure centre.

Soho has long enjoyed a reputation for bohemian creative energy, tolerance and hedonism with a wealth of media industries, resident artists, cafes, bars and restaurants.

Regeneration projects to reinforce Berwick Street as Soho’s local high street and regenerate Ham Yard and Great Windmill Street with better community facilities and increased support for small businesses are included in the action plan.

The council has also clamped down on unlicensed sex shops, cutting the number from 52 to 11 in five years following a series of joint intelligence-led operations with the Metropolitan Police. Work continues to eliminate them all.

The Soho Action Plan has widespread support from Soho’s 4,000 residents as well as local businesses. The area is a magnet for media, TV, film and advertising industries and Westminster boasts the greatest concentration of creative media industries in the country, employing more than 64,000 people and with a turnover of £14.9 billion.

Councillor Danny Chalkley, Cabinet Member for Economic Development at Westminster City Council, said:

“Soho is a fantastic and energetic hub right in the heart of London and we want to ensure it stays this way.

“These ambitious, long-term plans have been carefully thought through with local residents and businesses to give them all better amenities, support and services and provide the area with a more sustainable future.”

All residents and businesses in Soho will be receiving a postcard giving brief details on the plan and a link to www.westminster.gov.uk/onesoho where they can find out more.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The Soho Action Plan aims to deliver 65 initiatives including:

- The regeneration of Berwick Street, Ham Yard and Great Windmill Street.

- Promote an improvement scheme to regenerate the area around Berwick Street - Carry out a “green” audit of Soho - Carry out a business audit of building use to ascertain if independent businesses are thriving or being driven out of Soho.

- Support local community organisations and community festivals - Carry out a review to improve street lighting and pavements

- Work with local landowners and small businesses to attract and retain independent businesses.

The projects aim to address residents’ concerns about noise nuisance from late-night bars and early morning business deliveries, improve community facilities and support small independent businesses and creative industries in the area.

Construction work to restore Marshall Street baths will begin at the end of March.