Sadiq Khan has hit out at what he calls the “breathtaking arrogance” of Westminster Council, which has kept restrictions on standing-only drinking in Soho and effectively blocked new bars and pubs from opening there.
The Mayor of London accused the Conservative-led council of ignoring the results of a public consultation on its new licensing rules. Most people who responded—81%—disagreed with the council’s “cumulative impact zone,” which means applications for new bars and pubs in London’s West End, one of Europe’s most famous nightlife areas, are turned down unless there are exceptional circumstances. Another 84% said the policy would hurt local businesses.
People also criticised the council’s stance on “vertical drinking,” which means standing up to have a drink, a common habit in British pubs. The council suggested, to widespread anger, that new licences should only go to venues offering table service instead of bar service, and where customers sit rather than stand.
The mayor had responded to the council’s summer consultation by telling them to scrap the cumulative impact zone and allow space for vertical drinking in pubs and bars. Prime Minister Andy Burnham also got involved, saying vertical drinking is part of “British life.”
Despite this, the council is sticking with both policies. It claimed that those who complained simply didn’t understand the wording in its licensing document.
Khan told the Guardian: “The arrogance of Westminster Council is breathtaking. By ignoring everyone who opposes their plans and treating hospitality in the heart of our capital as a problem, they’re letting down businesses, residents, and our economy. They’d rather see nightlife die than thrive.”
Tim Barnes, deputy leader of Westminster Council, said the real issue is policing and called for more resources in the area. He added: “Beyond disagreements over policy jargon, there are serious problems holding back our hospitality industry. A lack of investment in policing has led the Met to object to many licensing applications over public safety worries.”
But the final licensing policy still keeps the restrictions on vertical drinking. It says: “When considering new licence applications, discourage excessive drunkenness and encourage more seating in places that serve alcohol, so people can sit and enjoy a drink and order food by table service, instead of having open bar space for high-volume standing drinking.”
In the revised policy, the council notes it recently approved a new pub in the cumulative impact zone—The Lady in Covent Garden. However, most of that pub’s space is for a sit-down restaurant. The document says the bar on the ground floor wouldn’t normally be allowed, but it’s okay here because it will “only operate in connection with the restaurant use.”
The government is set to give Khan new powers to “call in” local council decisions he disagrees with.
He said: “London’s famous hospitality and nightlife sectors are vital to our economy and part of what makes our capital so special. Running our world-famous nightlife district with a small-minded, village-hall attitude just isn’t sustainable. That’s why the government was right to give me new powers to help our fantastic hospitality and nightlife thrive, creating more jobs and keeping us a vibrant global city.”
Data shows that between 2023 and 2026, only 3.5% of licensing applications that went to a Westminster subcommittee were approved exactly as submitted. Pub and wine bar applications dropped by 80% from 2022 to 2024.
The Soho Society, a group founded in 1972 to “preserve the character of Soho,” voted at its annual general meeting earlier this summer to adopt a new licensing mandate.This means it will scrutinize all new applications for bars and restaurants in the area, as well as review existing licenses. It will also oppose any venue that wants to stay open past the “core hours,” which Westminster Council has set to end between 10:30 PM and midnight, depending on the type of business and the day of the week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on the headline regarding vertical drinking restrictions in Soho written in a natural tone
General Questions
Q What does vertical drinking actually mean
A It refers to pubs and bars where people stand up to drink rather than sitting at tables These venues usually have very little seating and are designed to pack large numbers of people into a small space
Q Why is the council trying to ban vertical drinking in Soho
A The main reasons are to reduce noise street congestion and antisocial behavior When people stand in crowded bars they tend to spill out onto the streets causing a nuisance for local residents and creating a party atmosphere that can lead to trouble late at night
Q What does moving forward mean in this context
A It means the plan to introduce these restrictions is progressing through the legal and planning stages It isnt just an idea anymorethe Mayor and the council are taking active steps to make it a formal policy for new licenses
Q Who is Sadiq Khan and why is he involved
A Sadiq Khan is the Mayor of London He has the power to review and intervene in local planning decisions if he believes they affect a wider London audience In this case he is criticizing the local council for how they are handling the process
Specifics The Controversy
Q What did Sadiq Khan say about the council
A He accused the council of showing breathtaking arrogance He felt they were rushing the decision through without properly consulting the public businesses or considering the wider impact on Londons nightlife economy
Q Does this ban apply to all existing pubs in Soho
A No These restrictions usually apply to new license applications or venues trying to renew or change their licenses It is very difficult to impose these rules retroactively on pubs that already have permanent licenses though the council might try to attach new conditions during renewals
Q If I open a new bar in Soho what does this mean for my business
