Pub landlords, punters, the Prime Minister and the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan have all criticised the plans to ban ordering drinks at bars in Soho and the West End
A Tory council has been slammed after it revealed it was consulting on whether to ban pubgoers from ordering drinks at the bar.
Westminster Council said a new licensing policy would remove “vertical drinking” – stopping people from standing in pubs or bars – and encourage table-only service in Soho and the West End.
But the move – which it is claimed will “discourage excessive drunkenness” – has been criticised by landlords, punters, the Prime Minister, and the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, who said Westminster Council cannot “run a world-famous nightlife district with a village-hall mindset”.
Mirror readers have already been having their say – with the vast majority saying they are against the Tory bar ban.
One wrote: “Sounds the sort of ill thought plan a Tory council would come up with. You know the same Tory party that caused thousands of pubs to close during its 14 years in power – and now says Labour should do more to help the hospitality sector.”
Someone else commented: “‘I’ll stand the next round’ will be a thing of the past.
And another Facebook user chimed: “That’s the way it’s always been – why try and fix something that’s not broken.”
One warned of a dire impact on pubs in Central London, writing: “Well this will end with 75% of pubs shut in the next few months then”.
Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan has come out in opposition to Westminster Council’s proposals – and said new powers from central government will allow him to block policies which harm the capital’s nightlife.
The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 was passed by parliament earlier this year, creating a legal requirement for borough licensing authorities to formally consult the Mayor whenever they revise or rewrite their licensing policies.
It also allows regional mayors to take over a licensing application after a Town Hall has made its decision.
Further, secondary legislation outlining how this process will work are expected to be passed in parliament later this year.
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: “This is more evidence that restrictive and anti-growth policies aren’t working.
“At a time when venues need our support more than ever, the rules on licensing are stacked against them.
“The new powers mean the Mayor will be able to call in licensing decisions and have a say in local policies to protect London’s vital nightlife and hospitality industries.”
