London council wants to ban standing in pubs as Sadiq Khan vows to intervene against 'restrictive policies'

A London council kickstarted a bid to ban Britons standing in pubs as Sadiq Khan has vowed to intervene against the "restrictive policies".

Westminster City Council, which presides over nightlife across Soho and the West End, made the proposal to ban "vertical drinking" - and even ordering at the bar.

The policy, which is currently being considered, says the capital's boozers should: "Discourage excessive drunkenness and encourage the provision of more seating in premises that serve alcohol for people to sit and enjoy a drink and order food by table service in place of open bar space that caters for high volume vertical drinking."

As a result, all sales of food and drink should be delivered by waiting staff, it added.

But the Mayor of London has fought the proposal, ripping into the new "anti-growth" draft licensing policy.

And, thanks to new powers being handed to City Hall, Lord Khan will be able to put a stop to licensing decisions and will be allowed to weigh in on local legislation.

A spokesman said: "This is more evidence that restrictive and anti-growth policies aren’t working.

"At a time when venues need our support more than ever, the rules on licensing are stacked against them.

"That’s why the new powers the Mayor is getting from Government are so important, as they mean the mayor will be able to call in licensing decisions and have a say in local policies to protect London’s vital nightlife and hospitality industries."

But also a leading licensing lawyer has warned the policy could damage community cohesion, and the policy could amount to a threat on the "ethos of pubs".

"Vertical drinking is also social drinking, allowing people to mix and socialise as they wish, rather than being confined to their predetermined groups," leading licensing lawyer Philip Kolvin told The Guardian.

"So this is asking the traditional pub not to behave as a traditional pub and to ask people to stay with the group they came with.

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"One could characterise this as being contrary to the ethos of pubs as places which promote community cohesion."

Sacha Lord, who served as Andy Burnham’s Greater Manchester Night-Time Economy Adviser, took aim at the move by Westminster council, branding the authority "the most anti-hospitality council in the UK".

"It's like dragging us back to Covid times," the Labour donor added.

The City of Westminster covers a vast array of London's nightlife, including Soho, Covent Garden, Mayfair as well as the remainder of the West End.

In total, the area contained almost 500 licensed pubs, as well as other restaurants and bars.

Tim Barnes, Westminster City Council deputy leader and cabinet member for growth and planning, said: "It is utterly ludicrous to suggest the Council is planning to 'ban' people standing up in pubs.

"Suggesting otherwise is a wilful misreading of the policy proposals with clauses taken out of context.

"We want people to go out in the West End and have a good time.

"Our guidance is simply about encouraging venues to manage their customers so people don't pack onto pavements or excessive drinking doesn't disturb others passing by.

"The Cumulative Impact Zone is recognised as an area that has a high concentration of activity and particular policies exist for that in Westminster and the Mayor’s London-wider planning.

"There is a legal obligation to look at every application on its merits and we do just that, meaning we see new venues opening all the time.

Again, there is little change here from the policy of previous administrations and we have seen new pubs and fast-food outlets open recently, including a license extension for the McDonald's on Leicester Square, which will now be open 24 hours despite objections from the Mayor’s police representatives.

"We are the country's largest planning authority with some 4,000 licensed venues.

"We reject less than 1.5 per cent of license applications and there is a strong desire to see thriving, profitable, venues across Westminster.

"As we have made clear we are happy to work with the Mayor of London on licensing and have just launched our own campaign to promote nights out in Soho."