Westminster City Council has strongly denied claims that it is planning to ban standing in pubs across the West End and Soho, dismissing the allegations as "ludicrous."
The council faced widespread backlash after it emerged that a new draft licensing policy recommended that venues should seek to reduce "vertical drinking." The draft policy, currently out for consultation, encourages pubs to offer fixed seating formats and advises that "greater weight" will be given to licensing applications that "demonstrate meaningful reductions in actual operating capacity."
Council responds to backlash
In a social media post, the council said: "Westminster is famous for its fantastic bars & clubs - and we're consulting on how we can ensure as many people as possible enjoy our nightlife in safety. Ignore nonsense headlines about us banning "vertical" drinking - we love our visitors if they are standing or sitting!"
Cllr Tim Barnes, deputy leader and cabinet member for growth and planning, added in a video that the claims are "not true." He said: "We'd like to encourage you to come out and have fun at one of the many pubs, bars, [and] restaurants right away across the city, which are here for you to enjoy. We just want to make sure you can do that safely."
Context of the draft policy
The council revised its cumulative impact zone after the Covid-19 pandemic to include Soho, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, and Piccadilly Circus as areas with too many licensed premises. This zoning means there is a strict presumption of refusal for new licensed venues, and applicants must prove their venues will not contribute to existing crime or anti-social behaviour.
Council leader Paul Swaddle also reiterated that the claims were false and there were no plans to close pubs at 10pm. He accused Sir Sadiq Khan of "propagating" the story to "take over licensing." New licensing powers set to be given to mayors will allow them to block and overrule council licensing decisions.
Reactions from officials
Sir Sadiq Khan said on social media: "You can't run a world-famous nightlife district with a village-hall mindset." A spokesperson for the mayor's office said the proposal was "more evidence that restrictive and anti-growth policies aren't working."
Downing Street also intervened, 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 Government is devolving new licensing powers to the Mayor to help support pubs and nightlife. Soho did not become world famous by taking last orders early, switching the lights off at 10 o'clock. The Prime Minister encourages local leaders to work with the industry so that pubs can continue to thrive."
Council's clarification
Cllr Tim Barnes said in a statement: "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."
He added: "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% 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."
