Westminster Council proposes curbs on standing drinkers in Soho and West End pubs

Westminster Council has proposed new licensing rules that could reduce the number of customers allowed to stand in Soho and West End pubs. The draft policy, published for public consultation, advises that applications demonstrating "meaningful reductions in actual operating capacity" will be given greater weight in licensing decisions.

The council suggests measures such as enhanced dispersal, table service, or restricting "vertical drinking" to manage crowds in one of Europe’s busiest nightlife districts. The policy aims to discourage excessive drunkenness and encourage seated drinking, but does not explicitly ban standing.

Government and Mayor oppose the plan

The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from Downing Street. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister said, as reported by the *Evening Standard*, "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 statement added that Soho did not become famous by "taking last orders early" or switching lights off at 10 o’clock.

The Mayor of London also opposed the policy. A spokesperson for the Mayor’s office told the *Evening Standard* the proposal was "more evidence that restrictive and anti-growth policies aren’t working." The statement said venues needed support, not additional licensing barriers.

Local businesses warn of closures

Lesley Lewis, owner of Soho’s French House pub for 37 years, said the policy could "kill the whole business." She told the *Evening Standard* that standing customers were essential to covering high rents and rates. "People want to enjoy themselves in Soho, they want to have a drink outside, they want to dance," she said. "If it’s that sanitised, it’ll kill it."

Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, said standing in pubs was part of British culture. "It’s how people meet friends, watch live sport, wait to be served and enjoy the unique atmosphere that pubs have provided for generations," he told the *Evening Standard*.

Adam Hyman, founder of hospitality consultancy CODE, warned the policy could force pubs to adopt a more expensive table-service model. "It’s a very different model for a pub to have table service and to limit capacity," he said. "From an industry perspective, it’s not just cultural. It will have a big impact on how businesses operate."

Council denies plans to ban standing

Westminster Council has rejected claims it plans to ban standing in pubs. Cllr Tim Barnes, deputy leader and cabinet member for growth and planning, said the policy had been "wilfully misread." He told the *Evening Standard* the council wanted people to "go out in the West End and have a good time," but encouraged venues to manage crowds to prevent pavement congestion and excessive drinking.

Barnes said the council rejected fewer than 1.5% of licence applications and had recently approved new venues and extended hours, including a 24-hour licence for a McDonald’s in Leicester Square despite objections from the Mayor’s police representatives.

What happens next

The draft licensing policy is open for public consultation until 20 September 2024. Residents, businesses, and industry groups can submit responses before the council finalises the policy. The Mayor of London is also expected to gain new powers later this year to overrule local licensing decisions, which could affect the outcome.