Westminster City Council has published draft licensing proposals, open to consultation until Sunday, that encourage more seated service and seek to discourage "high volume vertical drinking" in parts of the West End. The plans — which could affect areas from Oxford Street to Trafalgar Square including Soho and Leicester Square — would ask new premises to prioritise fixed seating and table service and could refuse licences in the West End cumulative impact zone. The council denies any intention to ban standing drinking, saying the measures aim to reduce overcrowding and alcohol-related disturbance, while business groups and politicians warn of risks to the night-time economy.
Westminster's Draft Licensing Rules Spark Row Over 'Vertical Drinking' in Soho and the West End
Pubs are among Soho's main attractions [Getty Images]
Claims that so-called "vertical drinking" — standing up to have a drink at a bar or outdoors — is under threat in central London have provoked a heated debate after Westminster City Council (WCC) published draft changes to its licensing policy.
WCC must update its licensing policy by 1 October and has opened a public consultation on draft proposals that the council says are intended to reduce alcohol-related harm and manage crowding on pavements. Westminster contains more licensed premises than any other local authority in the UK, with roughly 500 pubs, bars and wine bars and about 1,750 cafes and restaurants.
What the Draft Proposals Say
The draft guidance proposes encouraging more fixed seating and table service in premises that serve alcohol to "discourage excessive drunkenness" and to replace open bar space that "caters for high volume vertical drinking." Applicants for new licences would be asked to aim for "a predominantly seated operation with fixed seating," introduce waiter or table service and consider restrictions on customers consuming alcohol while standing.
One proposed approach would be to refuse new licences for pubs, bars, fast-food outlets or music venues within the West End cumulative impact zone — an area roughly bounded by Oxford Street and Trafalgar Square that includes Leicester Square and Soho — to manage the concentration of licensed premises and their cumulative effects.
London's five heatwaves this year have encouraged more outdoor drinking [Getty Images]
Council Response
"There is no plan, and never has been, to ban drinking while standing up in a Westminster pub," said Tim Barnes, WCC deputy leader and cabinet member for growth and planning. He described claims of a blanket ban as "utterly ludicrous," saying the guidance is intended to help venues manage customers so pavements are not overcrowded and excessive drinking does not disturb passers-by.
Reactions From Politics and Business
The proposals prompted swift reactions. Downing Street (Labour-run No 10) warned that busy pubs are part of British life and support thousands of jobs, saying: "Soho did not become world famous by taking last orders early." London Mayor Sadiq Khan cautioned against over-regulating nightlife, commenting that "you can't run a world-famous nightlife district with a village-hall mindset." A Conservative Party spokesperson urged Westminster to strike a sensible balance between the night-time economy and residents' concerns.
The Soho Business Alliance accused the council of trying to shrink the late-night economy and reduce venue capacities, arguing that standing and drinking has long been part of the area's character without causing crime. By contrast, the Soho Society — a local community group — warned that licensing decisions must consider alcohol-related harm and the "unmanaged cumulative impact" of many licensed premises on crime, anti-social behaviour, public safety and the day-to-day functioning of the neighbourhood.
What's Next
The consultation is open until Sunday and the council will consider responses before finalising its updated licensing policy by the 1 October deadline. The debate highlights a wider tension between protecting jobs and the character of London's nightlife and managing public safety, nuisance and quality of life for residents and nearby businesses.
Readers can respond to the consultation while it is open and follow local coverage for further developments.
Help us improve.
