Heart of London Business Alliance response to: Use of Leicester Square for a Christmas Funfayre for a temporary period From 14 November 2013 to 1 January 2013. WCC Reference 12/11262/FULL Heart of London Business Alliance, on behalf of the businesses operating in and around Leicester Square, through this correspondence, is making a formal objection to the application to operate a ‘Christmas Funfayre’ in Leicester Square between 14th November 2013 and 1st January 2014. As part of the much‐celebrated recent Leicester Square public realm improvement programme, a five‐year Events Strategy was set to ensure that all activities in the Square support its unique character and values and reinforce the positive changes that the Square has experienced. The clear criteria for permitting events, developed by Westminster City Council in collaboration with Heart of London Business Alliance, Metropolitan Police, Leicester Square Strategy Board, local property owners and businesses and Leicester Square Association, should play a vital role in realising a new vision for Leicester Square. There is a commitment to develop a vibrant events calendar which will seek to deliver events that balance the use of Leicester Square as a place of quiet leisure at the heart of a bustling city with that of a unique and high profile entertainment space. This strategic framework has gone on to vastly improve Leicester Square’s image and offering – broadening its appeal, winning us international recognition and giving a welcome boost to business. The proposed ‘Christmas Fayre’ proposes zones offering funfair rides and a refreshment area selling alcohol which in no way meet the Events Criteria set for Leicester Square. This iconic location is the ‘premiere’ square in London and the heart of both the visitor and business experience. The Events Criteria clearly sets out that all activities in the Square must complement this vision through high‐quality, unique and engaging events that reflect the true essence of Leicester Square. Most notably, the agreed Events Criteria stipulate that every activity must ‘enhance Leicester Square’s status as one of London’s key destinations ‐ quality being the consistent feature’. They must ‘reflect the character, history or brand of Leicester Square’ and have an ‘intrinsic artistic, aesthetic, cultural or recreational value’. They must also be ‘complementary to the local business offer’. The Christmas Funfayre proposal fulfils none of these criteria – disrupting the Square, overshadowing other activities and deterring many visitors. In terms of the other zones proposed in the application – i.e. selling of alcohol and refreshment stalls – these will not only add to disruption levels, but also detract from other food and drink businesses in the Square that will be hoping to capitalise on increased footfall over the Christmas period. Every event in Leicester Square should be considered against the framework that fairly balances the interests of all parties. The Events Criteria clearly states that if a proposed event has an unreasonable impact on any one local interest, be it resident, business or visitor, there is just cause to prevent it from taking place. In the case of this proposal, the unreasonable impact extends to all local interests in particular in terms of noise, visual impact, high density and potential for antisocial behaviour. Page 1 of 2 We acknowledge that promoters of the event are seeking to comply with Westminster City Council regarding noise control, but believe that the noise and disruption from the proposed activity will have a hugely detrimental effect on local businesses, particularly hotel residents and local residents. The extended period of the event over the six week period is a concern. We note that organisers have applied for a license to serve alcohol. We wish to register our concern and objection to this. Heart of London Business Alliance regularly funds multi agency operations with the Metropolitan Police and Westminster City Council to reduce the negative impact of street drinking which leads to anti social behaviour and increase crime levels. Stakeholders have worked very hard to rebuild perceptions of Leicester Square as an attractive, high‐quality area in the heart of London. Private sector Investment since the completion of the Public Realm Improvements has seen over £450 million invested into the area. This has helped to significantly reduce crime and anti‐social behaviour, and attract a diverse and desirable audience who together enjoy the many creative and culturally‐rich activities that now take place in the Square. We believe the proposed Christmas Funfayre is detrimental to the broader reputation of Leicester Square. It would be highly regrettable for one single and disruptive event to undo the great progress that has been made in returning Leicester Square to its rightful place as a world class destination. Heart of London Business Alliance on behalf of business in the Leicester Square area object to this planning application for the reasons stated above and in summary below: •
Does not meet the vision in Westminster City Council’s Events Strategy for Leicester Square •
Does not meet the Westminster City Council Events Criteria for Leicester Square •
Potential adverse effect on the residential amenity of neighbours, (particularly hotel residents) by reason of (among other factors) noise, disturbance, overlooking, loss of privacy, overshadowing, etc. •
Unacceptably high density / overdevelopment of the site, especially if it involves loss of the open aspect of the neighbourhood •
Visual impact of the development •
Effect of the development on the character of the neighbourhood •
The proposal is over‐bearing, out‐of‐scale or out of character in terms of its appearance compared with existing vicinity •
Proposed activity potentially leads to antisocial behaviour and increase levels of crime We do hope you will take into account the views of the businesses in the Square together with the Leicester Square Strategy Board. Page 2 of 2