Sadiq Khan has accused Westminster council of “breathtaking arrogance” after the central London town hall signed off plans to limit “vertical drinking” and new pubs opening in Soho .
But Westminster council has denied it wants to crackdown on drinkers and new venues in the world-famous nightlife district.
The Mayor of London said the council had ignored responses to a consultation.
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What is Westminster’s licensing policy?
The policy states that the opening new bars, clubs and pubs in the borough’s “cumulative impact zone (CIZ)” be refused unless in exceptional circumstances.
The CIZ covers some of the busiest parts of Westminster, including Soho, Covent Garden, Leicester Square and parts of Mayfair and Fitzrovia.
It means establishments cannot open past certain times and have to prove they would not contribute to “crime and disorder”.
Some 81% of respondents to the council’s licensing consultation disagreed with the the CIZ rules.
New venues that prioritise seated customers, rather than those standing at the bar or in the street outside, will be easier to open, under the policy.
The policy states: “When considering new licence applications, 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.”
“The arrogance of Westminster Council is breathtaking,” Lord Khan said.
“By ignoring those who oppose its plans and treating hospitality in the heart of our capital as a problem, it’s letting down businesses and Londoners.
“Westminster may not care about our pubs, bars and venues – but I do.”
Venues that prioritise seated customers will be easier to open in Soho
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What has Westminster council said?
The town has hit back and accused the Mayor of overseeing cuts to policing and an “inadequate” public transport system.
The Tory-run local authority argued that the main concern of residents and businesses was crime and limited late night bus and train services putting off revellers, according to its consultation.
It has called on Lord Khan to reverse recent cuts to the Metropolitan Police’s licensing team, which has been halved, and invest in more, visible and dedicated officers in the area.
Extra night buses should be provided in central London and 24-hour Tube services should be extended to Thursdays to reduce crowding at closing time and help people leave the area safely, the town hall added.
The police force is the number one objector to new venues opening, Tim Barnes, deputy leader of Westminster council, told the Standard.
Mr Barnes argued that the administration’s licensing policy is similar to that under the council’s previous Labour administration.
He previously told the Standard: “The Met Police, they pretty much complain about everything.
“It is pretty hypocritical of the Mayor. The purpose of any restraint on licensing is not to stop people having fun. It’s to make people safe.”
Westminster council now has to consult City Hall over its licensing plans under the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026.
The Mayor is not able to order the council to take particular action on licensing.
But in the autumn, subject to legislative changes, he will get the power to “call in” licensing matters and overrule the council if he thinks they are unfair.
In a letter to the council in response to its draft statement of licensing policy 2026, Lord Khan said: “London’s bars, clubs, pubs, and live music venues are the beating heart of our global city, bringing communities together and filling our streets with life and laughter.
“The capital’s nightlife sector supports 630,000 jobs and contributes more than £21 billion to Britain’s economy every year.
“Yet, for too long, an outdated, inconsistent, and illogical licensing system has treated London’s nightlife like a luxury, rather than recognising it for the essential and extraordinary national asset it is.”
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