Westminster's war on pubs: Council wants to ban standing at the bar

'Vertical drinking' targeted in licensing crackdown

One of Britain's busiest nightlife districts could soon see one of the oldest pub traditions disappear after Westminster Council proposed discouraging customers from standing with a drink or ordering at the bar.

The draft licensing policy recommends replacing so-called "vertical drinking" with table service, more seating and food-led hospitality, sparking outrage from pub operators, legal experts and politicians.

Traditional pubs under threat

Under the proposals, pubs would be encouraged to provide more seating and have customers order food and alcohol through waiter or waitress service rather than gathering around the bar.

The council says the changes are aimed at discouraging excessive drinking, but critics argue they would fundamentally change the character of traditional British pubs.

Licensing expert Philip Kolvin KC warned that standing at the bar allows strangers to meet and socialise naturally, calling the proposals contrary to the community spirit that has defined pubs for generations.

Mayor attacks 'anti-growth' policies

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has criticised Westminster Council's approach, describing the proposals as restrictive and harmful to London's struggling hospitality industry.

A spokesman for the Mayor said the latest plans demonstrate why new powers being granted by the Government are needed, allowing Khan to intervene in licensing decisions that could damage the capital's nightlife economy.

The new legislation, expected later this year, will enable the Mayor to "call in" controversial licensing decisions made by local councils.

No new pubs in Soho?

The draft policy goes even further by proposing that applications for new pubs, bars and entertainment venues within Soho and much of the West End's cumulative impact zone should normally be refused.

The restrictions would also apply to many late-night food outlets and venues offering live music or dancing, further alarming business owners who say London's nightlife is already under intense pressure.

Hospitality industry hits back

Business leaders have condemned the proposals as another blow to an industry still recovering from recent economic challenges.

Former Greater Manchester Night-Time Economy Adviser Sacha Lord branded Westminster Council "the most anti-hospitality council in the UK", comparing the proposals to the restrictions seen during the Covid pandemic.

The row comes amid wider concerns that community groups and local authorities are making it increasingly difficult for new hospitality businesses to open or existing venues to extend their opening hours.

Consultation now underway

Westminster Council has opened the draft policy for public consultation before any final decisions are made.

If approved in its current form, the proposals would mark one of the biggest changes to London's pub culture in decades, with critics warning they risk replacing the traditional British pub experience with a restaurant-style model that many customers neither expect nor want.

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Woah, the Muslim Mayor standing up for alcohol and entertainment venues. That's going to really confuse our right wing friends on here, some heads may explode.

I'm with Khan on this, it's a terrible terrible proposal.