Overview
- The council’s draft licensing policy, published in June, seeks to discourage “vertical drinking” — standing at the bar — by encouraging more seating, table service and licence conditions that could require drinks to be served by waiting staff.
- The draft is in public consultation and is scheduled to close on Sunday, August 9, after which the council will consider responses before deciding whether to adopt the policy.
- Westminster leaders have denied any plan to ban standing and say the document is guidance aimed at reducing pavement crowding, noise and disorder rather than outlawing traditional pub behaviour.
- The proposals have drawn public criticism from the Mayor of London and intervention from No 10, with Sadiq Khan and government officials saying the mayor may use forthcoming devolution powers to review or call in key licensing decisions.
- Pub owners and industry groups warn the measures would cut capacity, raise operating costs and change pub culture, and analysts say Westminster’s approach could influence other councils because it licences more venues than any other local authority.