Westminster City Council voted to approve its controversial 2026 licensing policy for Soho and the West End at a full council meeting on Thursday, September 17, 2026, despite overwhelming public opposition. Only 7 percent of consultation respondents believed the policy would help promote business in the area, yet the Central London council passed the new guidelines.
Policy Aims to Discourage Vertical Drinking
The policy encourages drinking while seated rather than standing, a move that has sparked outrage among some members of the public who accuse the council of waging a war on standing up at the pub. The key extract reads that the council would "discourage excessive drunkenness and encourage the provision of more seating in premises that serve alcohol for people to sit and enjoy a drink and order food by table service in place of open bar space that caters for high volume vertical drinking."
However, the policy does not ban standing in pubs. It means the council will consider whether a venue offers seated or standing drinking options when deciding on new licences, but there is no requirement for existing premises to replace standing areas with tables.
Labour Group Votes Against Proposal
The policy faced heavy criticism from Westminster's Labour Group, which voted against the proposal. Labour Councillor Robert Eagleton called the policy "an act of economic vandalism which risks robbing the West End of its unique vibrancy."
Cllr Eagleton said: "Of course, no one should deny the legitimate concerns of residents living with unacceptable levels of crime and antisocial behaviour. But we cannot support a policy which faces overwhelming public opposition and jeopardises Westminster's night-time economy. As I said, the West End is integral to our economy and we have the responsibility to steward this powerhouse of culture and entertainment built up over decades."
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Growth and Planning, Councillor Tim Barnes, defended the proposal, calling it the "most liberalising policy anyone in the room has ever been involved with." Cllr Barnes also criticised an article published in The Guardian that had incorrectly stated the policy would ban standing up in the pub. The media outlet has since changed its headline to more accurately reflect the content of the article.
Cumulative Impact Zone Retained
The policy also continues the Cumulative Impact Zone, an area with greater licensing restrictions covering the heart of London, despite over 80 percent of consultation responders disagreeing with this measure. The decision comes as the council balances resident concerns about crime and antisocial behaviour with the economic importance of the West End's night-time economy.
The approval means that for now, punters can still stand up with a pint at their favourite Soho pub, but future licensing decisions will take into account whether venues encourage seated drinking and table service over high-volume vertical drinking.
