Plans to limit “vertical drinking” in pubs in Soho are provoking criticism as Westminster Council pursues a wider crackdown on nightlife conditions, according to reports citing council and policing positions. The council has faced backlash over proposed restrictions that would curb standing-and-drinking behaviour in certain pub and street-adjacent areas. While Westminster argues it is responding to public concerns related to late-night activity, the reporting also says the council’s ability to implement changes is constrained by the role of the Metropolitan Police. One outlet notes that Westminster characterises the Met Police as the biggest barrier to fully addressing nightlife issues, suggesting operational and enforcement decisions sit with police rather than the council alone. The coverage frames the “vertical drinking” plan as part of a broader set of measures intended to manage the impact of nightlife on local residents and businesses. Overall, the articles describe a dispute over both the scope of the proposed restrictions and who holds primary responsibility for enforcement, with criticism directed at the council’s approach.