Westminster Council has put forward a draft licensing policy that would actively discourage what it calls "vertical drinking" in Soho and the West End, a proposal that has already provoked alarm among pub and bar operators who say the measure could undermine the areas’ nightlife and businesses.
What the council is proposing
The draft policy, currently out for consultation, recommends discouraging customers from drinking while standing and suggests a shift towards table service rather than open bar space that supports high volumes of standing customers. The council frames the move as an effort to limit excessive drunkenness and to increase the amount of seating in venues that serve alcohol.
Immediate reaction from the trade
Owners in Soho – London’s historic nightlife hub – reacted angrily. Operators argue that standing room and quick bar service are central to the business models of many pubs and bars, particularly smaller, independent venues that rely on high turnover at the bar to cover rising rents and rates.
"We rely on those people standing up with the rents and the rates put upon us," said Lesley Lewis of the French House. "People want to enjoy themselves in Soho, they want to have a drink outside, they want to dance, they don’t want to sit down and just be where they are, they want to meet people and chat."
Ms Lewis warned that the proposed approach could "finish us off", adding that while the restaurant arm of their business might survive, the bar supports the restaurant and redundancies could follow.
Political context and mayoral powers
The debate arrives as the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has new licensing powers granted by recent devolution laws. Mr Khan has publicly expressed concern that councils may pursue restrictive policies that he believes would stifle growth and damage London’s nightlife economy.
Licensing professionals have also weighed in: a leading licensing lawyer, Philip Kolvin KC, has warned that discouraging vertical drinking runs counter to the traditional role of pubs as social meeting places. The conflict highlights a tension between public order and preserving the character and viability of hospitality venues.
Who stands to be affected
- Independent pubs and small bars: Many rely on standing customers to make trading viable.
- Hospitality staff: Changes could lead to reduced hours or redundancies if revenues fall.
- Night-time economy: The character and attractiveness of Soho and the West End could change, potentially shifting footfall to other areas.
Stakeholders and their positions
| Stakeholder | Position |
|---|---|
| Westminster Council | Recommend discouraging standing drinking and encouraging more seating and table service |
| Pub and bar owners in Soho | Warn of closures, redundancies and loss of trade if policy implemented |
| Mayor of London | Has voiced hope that new powers will prevent councils from adopting restrictive and anti-growth policies |
Practical implications for customers and businesses
If the policy is adopted in its current terms, customers could find fewer venues offering traditional bar service or areas for standing and mingling. For businesses, adapting could mean reconfiguring interiors to add seating, changing service models to table service and reassessing staffing and pricing to maintain profitability.
Owners say those changes are not merely cosmetic. In Soho, where a mix of tourists, office workers and late-night crowds has kept venues afloat, a move away from open-bar models could reduce turnover and push some operators out of the market, they argue.
Next steps
The draft licensing policy is open to consultation. Any final decision will follow consideration of feedback from businesses, residents and other stakeholders. With the mayor watching developments closely and public debate already heated, the dispute is likely to be central to wider discussions about how to balance safety, growth and the cultural life of London’s nightlife districts.
For now, Soho’s future as a bustling, informal meeting place hangs in the balance as Westminster weighs tighter rules on how London drinks.
