Soho Business Alliance

The Soho Business Alliance (SBA) is a non-profit organisation established in 2020 to represent and support businesses in Soho, London. It acts as a unified voice for local businesses, working to protect and promote the area's economic diversity and unique character.

SBA actively engages with local residents, businesses, Westminster City Council, and other community groups. Its primary goal is to ensure businesses can effectively respond to local authority policies and decisions that affect the area. SBA provides support through various services, including free legal advice covering licensing, planning, property law, labour, contract, and immigration issues.

The alliance regularly participates in consultations on planning and licensing applications, environmental initiatives, crime prevention, homelessness, transport, accessibility, and inclusivity. Members benefit from significant discounts on essential services like waste management, group promotions to enhance visibility, and preferential purchasing agreements. SBA also offers mentoring and practical support to its members.

Membership is open to freelancers, small-to-medium businesses, larger companies, and charities, with annual fees ranging from $150 to $1,000 depending on the organisation’s size. SBA organises monthly "First Tuesday" networking events, publishes the 'Soho Briefing' newsletter, and manages a members' WhatsApp group for instant communication.

The Executive Board includes representatives from prominent local businesses such as Soho Estates, Sophie's Steakhouse, Outlet Residential, and Balans. An Advisory Board, including experts in licensing and planning, assists SBA’s governance. The alliance is sponsored by leading Soho establishments and works to connect members through community events and regular updates.

Notably, SBA has contributed to raising funds for community causes like Ukraine relief efforts. By collaborating closely with authorities and community groups, SBA aims to protect Soho's vibrant culture, support local businesses, and enhance the area for everyone who lives, works, or visits there.

The Soho Business Alliance (SBA) was founded in 2020 to represent and support the diverse businesses within Soho, London. Its primary aim was to create a unified voice for the area’s businesses, advocating for their interests while preserving the unique character of the district. Soho, being one of London's most vibrant and diverse areas, faces various challenges due to its 24-hour nature, which includes issues related to local policies, environmental factors, and the ongoing need to maintain its cultural heritage.

The SBA quickly realised that to effectively protect and grow Soho’s economic diversity, it needed to collaborate with multiple stakeholders, including local residents, Westminster City Council, other community groups, and various amenity organisations. It also focused on developing strong relationships with local businesses to ensure their concerns were heard at the right levels of government and business networks.

Over the years, SBA has become instrumental in providing its members with practical support, such as free legal advice, especially in the areas of licensing, planning, property law, and labour laws. It also helped businesses navigate the complex regulatory environment of Soho by offering guidance on planning applications, licensing applications, and other emerging local policies. Furthermore, SBA has played an active role in discussions around environmental issues, public realm matters, transport, accessibility, and inclusivity.

In addition to offering legal and advisory support, SBA began organising regular networking events, such as the "First Tuesday" meetings, and providing members with access to discounts on essential services, including waste management and group promotions. The SBA also began sending out the "Soho Briefing" newsletter, keeping members informed about important local developments, security issues, and opportunities for business growth.

As SBA continued to grow, it gained the support of prominent local businesses and became known for helping companies access group discounts, secure better purchasing deals, and even offer support in crime and policing initiatives. One of the major milestones was its involvement in raising funds for community causes, such as the Ukraine relief efforts, demonstrating its commitment to contributing to wider community welfare.

Today, SBA remains a key player in ensuring that Soho's businesses are well-represented and that their concerns are communicated effectively. The organisation continues to facilitate connections between businesses, residents, and the local authorities, striving to maintain Soho's unique identity while promoting its long-term success. It is still working on improving the area's public realm and services and continues to advocate for its members by addressing current issues like homelessness, crime, and the development of Soho’s infrastructure. The SBA also continues to host important networking events and provides ongoing support through its legal, planning, and licensing services.

The Soho Business Alliance (SBA) is a non-profit organisation that works to support and represent businesses in Soho, London. Its main goals are to protect and grow the economic diversity of the area, ensuring that businesses in Soho can thrive and continue to contribute to its unique character. SBA works with local businesses, residents, Westminster City Council, and other community groups to address challenges and opportunities that affect the district.

To achieve these goals, SBA engages with various stakeholders and plays an active role in discussions about planning, licensing, and policy decisions that affect Soho. The organisation provides a unified voice for businesses, ensuring their concerns are heard by local authorities and other key decision-makers.

Some of the specific purposes of SBA include:

Supporting businesses: SBA helps businesses in Soho by offering services such as free legal advice on areas like licensing, planning, and property law. It also provides practical support by helping businesses access discounts on services like waste management and offering group promotions to increase visibility.

Maintaining Soho’s unique character: SBA works to protect the character of Soho by ensuring that new developments and policies do not negatively impact the area’s distinctive cultural and commercial identity. It engages with local authorities to address concerns related to urban development, public space management, and environmental issues.

Facilitating networking and collaboration: SBA helps businesses connect with each other by organising regular networking events and offering opportunities for collaboration. These efforts are aimed at building a strong community of businesses that can work together to solve common problems and take advantage of opportunities for growth.

Promoting Soho as a vibrant business hub: SBA works to raise awareness of Soho’s unique position as a business, cultural, and social hub in London. By advocating for policies that support local businesses and the broader community, SBA helps ensure that Soho remains a thriving, dynamic area for both businesses and residents.

The Soho Business Alliance (SBA) has had a significant impact on the local business community in Soho. One of its key achievements has been providing essential support to businesses by offering free legal advice in areas like licensing, planning, and property law. This has helped many businesses navigate complex regulations and ensure they are operating within the law.

SBA has also played a critical role in promoting the unique character of Soho. It works closely with Westminster City Council and other local authorities to ensure that any new developments or policies align with the needs of local businesses while protecting the area’s cultural identity. This includes engaging in discussions about urban development, public space management, and environmental concerns.

The organisation has created a strong network of businesses in Soho by hosting regular networking events, such as the "First Tuesday" meetings, which have helped businesses connect and collaborate. This has fostered a sense of community and allowed businesses to share resources, advice, and opportunities.

In addition, SBA has raised awareness of local issues, including crime, policing, and environmental initiatives, and has contributed to community causes like fundraising for Ukraine relief efforts. Overall, SBA has helped strengthen Soho's position as a vibrant and thriving business hub in London