London mayor slams Westminster council over pub 'vertical drinking' curbs

London mayor Sadiq Khan has accused Westminster city council of "breathtaking arrogance" after it decided to keep restrictions on so-called "vertical drinking" — standing up while having a drink, a common practice in British pubs. The Conservative-led council has also retained its "cumulative impact zone", which effectively blocks new licences for bars and pubs in the West End, one of Europe's best-known nightlife districts.

Khan says the council ignored the outcome of its own public consultation. Of those who responded, 81% opposed the cumulative impact zone, and 84% said the new licensing policy would harm business. The consultation, held over the summer, also drew criticism for a council proposal favouring new licences for venues with table service and seating over those allowing standing and ordering at the bar.

Following the consultation, the mayor called on the council to scrap the cumulative impact zone and make room for vertical drinking. Prime Minister Andy Burnham also weighed in, describing vertical drinking as part of "British life". Despite this, the council pressed ahead with both policies, saying complaints stemmed from misunderstanding of the terminology used in its licensing document.

Tim Barnes, the council's deputy leader, said the real issue was a lack of police resources, which has led the Metropolitan Police to object to many licensing applications on public safety grounds.

Figures show that between 2023 and 2026, only 3.5% of applications reaching a Westminster licensing subcommittee were approved exactly as submitted, while applications for pubs and wine bars fell 80% in 2022-24.

The government is preparing to grant Khan new powers allowing him to call in local council decisions he disagrees with.