Westminster council threatens closure of Charing Cross homeless outreach

Westminster Council has issued a threat to close a Charing Cross soup kitchen operated by the charity Friends of Essex & London Homeless (FOELH), citing significant safety concerns for both vulnerable service users and the general public. The council argues that the current operation attracts large crowds in a confined area, creating conditions conducive to antisocial behaviour, litter, and potential exploitation by drug dealers.

Steven Stuart, who founded FOELH with his wife Cheryl a decade ago, stated that the council’s approach is making it “impossible” for the charity to continue its work. Stuart highlighted a series of enforcement actions and regulatory hurdles that he contends are disproportionate for a small, volunteer-run organisation. These include demands for a costly waste disposal licence and a threat of a £500 parking charge for the vehicle used to transport food.

Despite these demands, Stuart confirmed that the charity has obtained the necessary waste disposal certificate to ensure compliance. However, he argued that the constant complaints and shifting requirements are creating an unstable environment for the vulnerable people who rely on the weekly distribution of hot meals, new clothes, and sleeping bags.

FOELH volunteer Phil Jones directly disputed the council’s claims regarding litter, stating that the group clears all waste and leaves the area spotless after each event. Stuart added that the scale of council interventions, which have included deployments of police and security officers on several occasions, has felt intimidating and unnecessary given the nature of the charitable work being conducted.

The dispute occurs against a backdrop of heightened tensions between the Conservative-led council and London Mayor Sadiq Khan over a draft policy that would ban new bars and pubs in Soho and the West End. While the council seeks to restrict “vertical drinking” and nightlife expansion, it is simultaneously conducting a crackdown on rough sleeping in the area.

Deputy leader Caroline Sargent expressed strong support for the council’s stance, noting that local residents and businesses are “fed up” with rough sleeping sites. She described the presence of such sites in the heart of the capital as “totally unacceptable,” reinforcing the authority’s position that the current soup kitchen operation is unsafe and requires stricter management.

Stuart has requested that the council issue specific permits for charities to operate on set days and at designated locations. He argued this would provide clarity and allow volunteers to carry out their duties without being “blind-sided” by new regulatory requirements or sudden enforcement actions.

The council maintains that while soup kitchens can provide a valuable service, they must be carefully managed to treat vulnerable people with dignity and protect the surrounding area. A spokesperson reiterated that the site is currently unsafe due to the concentration of vulnerable individuals and the associated risks of crime and exploitation.

The long-term outcome of the closure threat remains unresolved, with the charity continuing to operate while seeking a more stable regulatory framework from Westminster Council.