The draft policy, which covers Westminster including Soho and the West End, recommends venues move away from high volume “vertical drinking” and open bar space, with alcohol and food sales encouraged through table service.
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The proposals are currently out for consultation.
‘Anti-growth’
Khan described the approach as “restrictive and anti growth”, warning that licensing rules were stacked against venues at a time when the sector needed support.
The mayor is expected to receive new powers later this year allowing him to call in some licensing decisions made by local councils and have a say in local policies affecting nightlife and hospitality.
The draft policy says venues should discourage excessive drunkenness and provide more seating for customers to drink and order food by table service.
It also states the council will normally refuse new pub, bar, fast food and entertainment applications in the West End cumulative impact zone.
The proposals have prompted concern from operators and sector figures, who warned the approach could reduce capacity and alter the character of traditional pubs.
Licensing lawyer Philip Kolvin KC said standing in pubs was part of social drinking and allowed customers to mix, rather than being confined to predetermined groups.
Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) chief executive Michael Kill also warned standing had long been part of Britain’s pub culture, allowing people to meet friends, watch sport and enjoy the atmosphere of pubs.
He said policies favouring seating and reduced standing space risked changing the character of venues while increasing pressure on operators already facing significant costs.
Licensing pressure
The row follows wider criticism of licensing restrictions in Soho, after the Soho Society reportedly voted earlier this summer to object to all new bar and restaurant licence applications in the area.
Khan previously criticised opposition to new hospitality licences in Soho, comparing it to living in South Kensington and complaining about museums.
The Telegraph also reported concerns from Soho operators that licensing restrictions and resident objections were making it harder for hospitality businesses to trade and invest, with new licence applications across Westminster in 2024 down 27% compared with 2022 and pub and wine bar applications down 80%, according to council figures.
Sacha Lord, formerly Greater Manchester’s night time economy adviser, criticised the draft policy and said it risked taking venues back to Covid era restrictions.
Westminster City Council said its guidance was intended to help venues manage customers, reduce disturbance and prevent people packing onto pavements.
Tim Barnes, deputy leader and cabinet member for growth and planning at Westminster City Council, said the authority wanted people to go out in the West End and enjoy themselves.
He said the cumulative impact zone reflected the high concentration of activity in the area, but added the council had a legal obligation to consider every application on its merits.
The council said new venues continued to open across Westminster.
