Westminster Council's Draft Policy Targets 'Vertical Drinking' in Pubs
New licensing proposals recommend fixed seating and reduced capacity, sparking debate over traditional pub culture and mayoral oversight.
Callum Smith
Westminster City Council has unveiled a draft licensing policy recommending pubs reduce 'vertical drinking' and offer fixed seating.
Draft proposals aim to curb excessive drunkenness and promote increased seating in licensed venues across the borough. New licenses in the West End cumulative impact zone face refusal if they fail to promote seated operations with table service.
This critical zone spans the area between Oxford Street and Trafalgar Square, encompassing Leicester Square and Soho. The council's draft licensing policy effectively bans 'vertical drinkers,' leading to headlines proclaiming a 'standing ban' in West End and Soho pubs.
The Guardian asserts that so-called vertical drinking faces a direct threat in the heart of London's West End. It claims Westminster City Council actively attempts to stop pubs from operating as pubs with a 'no standing' plan.
A Soho Business Alliance spokesperson contends that Westminster City Council "don't want the late-night economy" and actively "trying to reduce the capacities in these venues." The spokesperson further claims this represents an attempt to alter Soho's fundamental character, stating it is "quite sad that they've gone to such lengths to sanitise the area."
Quite sad that they've gone to such lengths to sanitise the area.
Westminster Council Leader Paul Swaddle claims plans exist to close pubs at 10 pm. However, a No 10 spokesperson countered, stating, "Busy pubs full of people talking to each other is not a public nuisance, it is British life and it is thousands of jobs."
The spokesperson added, "Soho did not become world famous by taking last orders early, switching the lights off at 10 o'clock." Separately, Sadiq Khan remarked, "you can't run a world-famous nightlife district with a village-hall mindset."
Busy pubs full of people talking to each other is not a public nuisance, it is British life and it is thousands of jobs. Soho did not become world famous by taking last orders early, switching the lights off at 10 o'clock.
Westminster borough contains approximately 500 pubs, bars, and wine bars, alongside 1,750 cafes and restaurants. British pubs are closing at a rate of roughly one per day, with numbers reaching an all-time low of 39,000.
Westminster City Council revised its cumulative impact zone policy after the Covid-19 pandemic. This created a presumption of refusal for new licensed venues in areas like Soho and Covent Garden.
New licensing powers will allow mayors to block and overrule council licensing decisions, potentially impacting future policy implementation. London's 33 boroughs currently operate under distinct licensing policies.
The Soho Society voted for a new licensing mandate at its AGM. This mandate aims to challenge new bar and restaurant applications in the area.