Westminster City Council is consulting on a draft licensing policy for pubs and bars in Soho and the West End that would discourage “vertical drinking”—standing while drinking and ordering at the bar. The proposals aim to encourage more seating and table service, including guidance that alcohol and food should be provided through waiter and waitress service rather than customers ordering from an open bar area. The policy consultation also relates to the wider “cumulative impact zone,” which covers much of the area’s nightlife, and it indicates a more restrictive approach to licensing in that zone.
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, criticises the council’s approach as “anti-growth,” arguing that it does not support venues and that restrictive licensing rules make it harder for hospitality businesses. Supporters of the council’s position say the guidance focuses on managing customer behaviour to reduce pavement crowding and to limit excessive drinking that could affect people passing by.
Different industry voices raise concerns that Westminster’s policies could spread to other licensing authorities, and that restricting new openings may affect the area’s nightlife economy. The council says it assesses applications on their merits and highlights the scale of its licensed venues.
