Westminster pubs face capacity cuts under new licensing rules
Council proposes venues reduce standing space to ease pavement crowding in Soho and West End
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Pubs in central London could be forced to cut the number of customers allowed to stand inside under new licensing rules proposed by Westminster City Council. The draft policy, open for consultation until 9 August, targets venues in Soho, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus and parts of Fitzrovia and Mayfair. It would require applicants to demonstrate "meaningful reductions in actual operating capacity", including measures such as table service or restricted standing areas.
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Owners of long-standing Soho pubs say the policy would devastate their businesses. Lesley Lewis, who has run The French House for 37 years, told the *Evening Standard* the changes would "kill the whole business". The pub relies on customers standing to meet rents and rates, she said. "People want to enjoy themselves in Soho, they want to have a drink outside, they want to dance."
Jan De Vries, general manager at Bradley’s Spanish Bar, said reducing standing space would be the "nail in the coffin" for independent venues. Bradley’s has only 30 seats across two floors, making standing customers essential for viability. De Vries suggested the council "wants everybody off the streets after 11pm".
It will really finish us off. We rely on those people standing up with the rents and the rates put upon us.
Lesley Lewis, owner of The French House
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Council denies banning standing
Westminster City Council has rejected claims it plans to ban standing in pubs. Paul Swaddle, the Conservative council leader, said the policy is under consultation and there is "no plan" to stop vertical drinking. Cllr Tim Barnes, deputy leader and cabinet member for growth and planning, called suggestions of a ban "utterly ludicrous".
Barnes said the policy aims to manage crowds to prevent pavement congestion and disturbance. "We want people to go out in the West End and have a good time," he said. The council emphasised that less than 1.5% of licence applications are rejected, and new venues continue to open. Recent approvals include a 24-hour licence for the McDonald’s on Leicester Square, despite objections from the Mayor’s police representatives.
Political opposition grows
The proposals have drawn criticism from the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, who said on X: "You can’t run a world-famous nightlife district with a village-hall mindset." Khan argued that London’s hospitality sector supports jobs, culture and growth, and hinted at using new mayoral powers to block council decisions.
Downing Street also weighed in, with a spokesperson calling busy pubs "British life and thousands of jobs". The Prime Minister urged local leaders to "work with" pub landlords. Dawn Butler, MP for Brent, described the policy as "DAFT" on social media, adding that London’s nightlife "needs support, not more restrictions".
What happens next
The consultation on Westminster City Council’s draft licensing policy closes on 9 August. Residents, pub owners and visitors can submit responses via the council’s website. If approved, the policy would take effect later this year, with venues required to comply when applying for or renewing licences. The council has said it is open to working with the Mayor of London on licensing issues.
Questions this report answers
+What is Westminster City Council proposing for pubs?
The council’s draft licensing policy would require pubs in Soho, Covent Garden and other central areas to reduce standing capacity to ease pavement crowding. Venues would need to demonstrate "meaningful reductions in actual operating capacity" when applying for licences. The policy is under consultation until 9 August.
+How could the policy affect pubs in Soho?
Pubs warn the changes could lead to closures and job losses. Owners say standing customers are essential for meeting rents and rates, and reducing capacity would make their businesses unviable. The French House and Bradley’s Spanish Bar have both spoken out against the proposals.
+Is Westminster City Council banning standing in pubs?
No. The council denies it is banning standing and says the policy aims to manage crowds to prevent pavement congestion. Cllr Tim Barnes called claims of a ban "utterly ludicrous" and said the council wants people to enjoy the West End. Less than 1.5% of licence applications are rejected.
+What happens if the policy is approved?
If approved, the policy would take effect later this year. Pubs would need to comply when applying for or renewing licences. The council has said it is open to working with the Mayor of London on licensing issues, but the Mayor has criticised the proposals and hinted at using new powers to block them.
News London Desk
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