Thousands of pubs in London could be forced to ban customers from standing and ordering at the bar under new plans by Westminster council. The authority, which oversees licensing in Soho and the West End, is proposing to restrict what it calls "vertical drinking" and require table service instead.
What the plans include
Pubs applying for a licence could face conditions that drinks be served by waiters or waitresses rather than at the bar. Limits on when alcohol can be served are also being considered. The draft policy reportedly says venues should "discourage excessive drunkenness and encourage the provision of more seating" and "order food by table service in place of open bar space that caters for high volume vertical drinking."
The council is also reportedly looking at preventing large groups from standing outside pubs and could refuse new pub or bar applications in the West End Cumulative Impact Zone.
Criticism and response
Critics say the move would undermine the area's pub culture and hurt struggling businesses. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan called the proposals "restrictive and anti-growth policies." Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, said: "Standing in pubs has always been part of Britain’s pub culture. It’s how people meet friends, watch live sport, wait to be served and enjoy the unique atmosphere that pubs have provided for generations."
Westminster City Council deputy leader Councillor Tim Barnes defended the guidance, saying: "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." He noted there are 4,000 licensed venues in the area and fewer than 1.5 per cent of license applications are rejected.
