Westminster accuses Khan of licensing ‘power grab’

The row follows Khan’s formal response to the council’s draft licensing policy consultation, in which he urged Westminster to remove its cumulative impact policy and core hours approach. The draft policy has faced criticism after recommending venues move away from high volume “vertical drinking” and open bar space, with table service encouraged instead. It also suggests newly licensed pubs should call last orders at 10pm, while nightclubs would have to close by 11.30pm on weekdays and midnight at weekends. Cllr Tim Barnes, deputy leader of Westminster City Council and cabinet member for growth and planning, said the main pressures facing pub and bar operators were costs, rather than licensing. He said: “We talk to pub and bar owners all the time, and their real issue is not licensing, it is the ever mounting costs being loaded on them by central Government with venues facing rising bills and the increasing cost of employing staff. “Cuts to policing mean people are worried about safety when they go out and an inadequate public transport network which doesn’t allow them to go home when it gets late. Both of these are squarely the responsibility of the Mayor’s office. “If the Mayor was genuinely interested in helping the pub industry rather than simply a relentless power grab of licensing laws, he would address the real challenges to the industry.” Khan had reportedly argued the proposed licensing policy would treat London’s nightlife as a “luxury” and undermine efforts to support the capital’s pubs, bars and late night venues. He also claimed licensing decisions that could “make or break” London’s nightlife had been “ skewed towards the interests of a handful of highly vocal residents and councillors ”, without enough weight given to the wider economy and culture. According to Sky News , Khan described policies that emphasise an evening economy ending at 10pm and expect pubs, restaurants and nightclubs to close by 11.30pm on weekdays and midnight at weekends as “overly onerous and archaic”. The latest exchange follows criticism from Downing Street last week , after a No 10 spokesperson said busy pubs were “not a public nuisance” but “British life”. Khan has also previously described the Westminster proposals as “restrictive and anti growth”. Westminster City Council has said its guidance is intended to help venues manage customers, reduce disturbance and prevent people packing onto pavements. The council has also said it has a legal obligation to consider every licensing application on its merits.