Why there is a row about standing up while drinking in central London
Westminster Council has more licensed venues than anywhere else in the UK - and it thinks 'vertical drinking' should be curbed.
A dispute has erupted over the practice of standing while drinking in central London's West End. Westminster City Council (WCC) needs to revise its licensing policy by October 1st. The council is considering measures to discourage excessive drunkenness and excessive vertical drinking, which refers to standing while consuming alcohol outside licensed venues. The goal is to encourage more seating areas for customers to enjoy their drinks and meals.
WCC's draft proposals suggest that new license applicants should aim for a mostly seated operation with waiter service, rather than allowing customers to stand while drinking. The council asserts that there is no intention to ban standing while drinking in pubs, and that the proposals are intended to manage crowds and prevent disturbances for passersby.
The government and the Labour mayor of London have expressed support for WCC's efforts to maintain a vibrant nightlife district. However, local business owners, including those in Soho, argue that the proposed changes will negatively impact the area's character and could harm the nightlife economy, which contributes to thousands of jobs in the city.
Written by urgent.news from BBC News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
