A WAR of words between the Mayor of London and “joyless” West End community groups intensified this week after his plans for “the biggest ever summer for al fresco dining in the capital’s history” were snubbed by the council.

Westminster Council has refused to be part of this year’s Summer Streets programme that allows restaurants and bars to serve from tables in pedestrianised roads following a backlash from residents and community groups.

Last year the project saw streets shut down in the West End and also St Martin’s Lane in Covent Garden.

The Mayor is this week said to be furious with the council and has indicated that he would like to see new powers to overrule decisions made by the council’s licensing chiefs.

He has described the current set-up as “outdated, inconsistent and frankly illogical” and warned that decisions were skewed towards a “handful of highly vocal residents”.

One of his officers has suggested there are “too many influential people around Soho” get­ting in the way of progress.

A source close to the mayor has been briefing reporters: “Opening up our streets to al fresco dining and other events should be at the heart of supporting our brilliant hospitality venues over the summer and autumn. Yet the attitude of too many influential people around Soho is that bringing more fun and socialising to our streets is something to be thwarted and blocked.”

New licensing powers coming into force next year are said to allow the Mayor to force revisions of decisions made by the council. It is not clear whether this will include the decision not to sign up for the Summer Streets scheme.

“With new licensing powers coming to the mayor this year, we hope things will be done differently – supporting our amazing venues that want to expand and offer even more for their customers.”

The Soho Society led the charge against the al fresco scheme that was first introduced during the Covid pandemic. Sir Sadiq Khan called the group “joyless NIMBYs” last month after it announced a new plan to oppose all new and renew­al licensing applications.

The Soho Society has responded saying its objections “are often based on the data and experience that the intensification of the night-time economy in Soho has not been matched by an equivalent increase in infrastructure needed to safely accommodate such growth”.

A spokesperson for the council said: “Westminster already hosts the largest number of licensed venues in the country. With the World Cup, Pride and dozens of other activities planned, our streets will be full of people enjoying themselves over the summer months. We’d be delighted to work with the mayor to support the hospitality industry as well as our residents and the hundreds of thousands of visitors to our city.

“The council would welcome a meeting to discuss how the jewel in the capital’s entertainment scene could be better with investment from the mayor’s office.”