Soho walk-up

[1] The flats are located on the upper floors of buildings in Soho's red light district, often above shops, and accessed by a staircase from a door on the street.

[1] They form a distinctive way of working that is characteristic of the sex industry in Soho, originating in the 1960s[2] and declining during the 21st century.

[3] By the early 1960s almost every doorway in Soho had red-lit doorbells, or open doors with little postcards just inside advertising "Large Chest for Sale" or "French Lessons Given.

From the street level door to the main building there is often a visible hand crafted sign reading "model" to indicate that it is indeed the entrance to one or more walk-ups.

The job of the maid is to act as receptionist who can receive potential clients when the sex worker is occupied and either give them somewhere to wait or suggest they return at a later time.

[1] There are a number of online directories that give the locations of the walk-ups and some details of the sex workers that are providing services on particular days.

A police investigation in 2007 which led to charges of controlling prostitution resulted in a successful defence of "abuse of process".

Nevertheless, there have been a number of high-profile police raids in Soho based on allegations of sex trafficking and pimping, and these have resulted in the closure of some walk-ups.