Westminster City Council has published a revised licensing policy following a high-profile debate over what it called "vertical drinking," BBC News has reported. The council must update its current policy, drawn up in 2021, by 1 October. A draft policy published in August had encouraged pubs and bars to provide more seated areas in place of standing ones, drawing criticism from local businesses, the Government, and the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, who said "you can't run a world-famous nightlife district with a village-hall mindset." The council later clarified it had not planned to ban people from standing while they drink.
Cllr Tim Barnes, the council's Deputy Leader, denied there was ever a plan to ban standing-up drinking, saying: "Suggesting otherwise is a wilful misreading of the policy proposals with clauses taken out of context." In its latest guidance, the council said policing was the concern raised most often in its summer consultation, noting that officer numbers had fallen in recent years and the Metropolitan Police's licensing team had been halved in the past year. It is asking the Mayor to reverse those reductions and fund visible, dedicated policing in the West End during the evening and overnight, alongside extended night bus routes and Night Tube services on Thursdays.
Cllr Barnes said: "A lack of investment in policing has left the Met objecting to many licensing applications over public safety concerns. People struggle to get home from a night out when late-night bus routes have been cut and overnight Tube services are non-existent during the week. We'll take this on board and do our bit to support the hospitality industry but we need the mayor's team to fund the services which make London a 24-hour city."
The council said Friday and Saturday trade had recovered towards pre-pandemic levels, though other nights remained quiet, with some venues struggling to stay viable. It confirmed it would review its licensing policy each June and set up an expert advisory group.
Council to 'better explain' vertical drinking term
Cllr Tim Barnes, the council's Deputy Leader, denied there was ever a plan to ban standing-up drinking, saying:
"Suggesting otherwise is a wilful misreading of the policy proposals with clauses taken out of context."
"A lack of investment in policing has left the Met objecting to many licensing applications over public safety concerns.
"People struggle to get home from a night out when late-night bus routes have been cut and overnight Tube services are non-existent during the week.
"We'll take this on board and do our bit to support the hospitality industry but we need the mayor's team to fund the services which make London a 24-hour city."
