Key facts
- Westminster council is threatening to close a soup kitchen operated by Friends of Essex & London Homeless (FOELH) in Charing Cross.
- The council cited concerns over crowds of vulnerable people, litter, noise, and safety.
- FOELH stated that the council's actions are disproportionate and could force the charity to cease operations.
- The council has issued enforcement notices and demanded compliance with new regulations, including a waste disposal licence.
- Westminster council claims the current operating site is unsafe and has received complaints from residents about antisocial behaviour and crime.
Westminster council is reportedly making it increasingly difficult for a homeless charity to operate its weekly soup kitchen in Charing Cross, with the charity fearing it may be forced to shut down.
Friends of Essex & London Homeless (FOELH), a volunteer-run charity, has been warned by the council that it cannot operate as it currently does. The council has cited concerns about noise, litter, and the safety of the large crowds of vulnerable people who gather for meals. FOELH co-founder Steven Stuart stated that the council's actions, including sending enforcement agents and demanding compliance with new requirements, feel intimidating and disproportionate.
Stuart mentioned that the charity has had to obtain a costly waste disposal licence and faced threats of a £500 parking charge for their vehicle. He suggested the council should issue permits to charities for specific days and locations to avoid unexpected requirements.
A spokesperson for Westminster council stated that while soup kitchens can be valuable, they must be carefully managed. The council claims that multiple kitchens operating simultaneously in the same area lead to large crowds, potentially attracting drug dealers and resulting in complaints from residents about antisocial behaviour, littering, and crime. The council asserted that the current site is not safe for service users or the general public.
The council's deputy leader, Caroline Sargent, has previously expressed frustration with rough sleeping sites in Westminster, stating that local people and businesses are "fed up" with them.