Aidan Hartley Aidan Hartley

Solidarity in Soho: running a coronavirus testing centre

We launched the business in May — now we’re packing up and I’m going home to Africa

Soho seemed the perfect place for a coronavirus testing centre, charging half the price of a Harley Street clinic. Credit: Chaffly/iStock 
issue 01 August 2020
London

Simon, proprietor of the sex shop opposite our Covid-19 testing centre in Soho, insisted on popping a pack of Sildenafil in my top pocket each time I passed his ribbon curtains. ‘Have a lovely weekend,’ he’d say kindly. For several weeks we occupied the delightful Boulevard Theatre at the end of Berwick Street. With all the theatres across the capital closed, it was the only show
in town: fast antibody and antigen testing
for the public at half the price of clinics in Harley Street.

We first launched the business back in May in the City of London, at the Honourable Artillery Company — convinced that the British people were straining to return to work after lockdown. We imagined big companies would send a tidal wave of their staff through the doors so that they could help their people resume their normal lives and get the engine of the UK’s economy thrumming again.

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in