No 10 hits out at council’s plan to clamp down on standing in pubs as licensing row escalates

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London chided against ‘restrictive and anti-growth policies’ in Soho and the West End

Brooke Davies | Senior News reporter Published August 7, 2026 9:39am Updated August 7, 2026 9:39am Pubs and bars in the heart of London have been left infuriated after finding out the council, which oversees Soho and the West End, is trying to encourage punters to have set seats (Picture: In Pictures via Getty Images)

The council faced a pile-on of backlash following claims it planned on banning standing at pubs

Westminster council has recommended banning ‘vertical drinking’ or ordering at the bar in new draft licensing policy No 10 has vowed to confiscate powers from local councils which try to restrict customers from standing up while drinking in pubs or ordering at the bar. It comes after the Guardian revealed on Thursday t

UK councils, including those that run boozing hotspots like London's West End and Soho, have come under scrutiny over policies that seem to encourage a move away from 'vertical drinking'

Westminster Council’s latest bright idea could be the final nail in the coffin for pubs, writes Carole Malone  gbnews.com

Council in central London considering curbs on ‘vertical drinking’  ITVX

Westminster council is backing proposed plans to stop large groups of punters standing outside pubs and ordering at the bar in Soho and the West End as part of a crack down on what it calls "vertical drinking"

The end of standing at Soho pubs? Council wants fewer crowds and more table service - and suggests last orders at 10pm  lbc.co.uk

A COUNCIL has sparked outrage by trying to ban standing and ordering from the bar in thousands of pubs. Westminster council, which is in charge of licensing rules for pubs in London's busy Soho and West End, has recommended not allowing punters to stand at the bar or outside venues. Its new draft licensing policy...