Khan invokes new powers to scrap Westminster’s restrictive nightlife licensing draft
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has formally directed Westminster Council to withdraw a controversial draft policy that sought to ban new pubs and bars in Soho and the West End, citing a need to prioritise economic growth over resident complaints.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has exercised newly granted government powers to order Westminster Council to scrap a draft licensing policy that would effectively ban new pubs and bars from opening in Soho and the West End. This marks the first use of the intervention powers, which allow the mayor to step in on local licensing decisions to protect broader economic interests.
The council’s proposed decree, currently under consultation, faced widespread criticism for its restrictive measures. The draft included a ban on “vertical drinking,” requiring patrons to sit while consuming beverages, and mandated table service instead of bar orders. It also introduced “core hours” that would force pubs to serve last orders at 10pm on weekdays, with nightclubs required to close by 11.30pm on weekdays and midnight on weekends.
Under the council’s plan, the entirety of Soho and the West End was designated as a “cumulative impact zone.” This classification would prevent new venues from opening unless under exceptional circumstances, despite the area being one of Europe’s most popular nightlife destinations. Additional proposals sought to label Mayfair and the Victoria area as special zones with restricted nightlife due to noise and nuisance behaviours.
Khan cited Home Office data to argue that the proposals undermined London’s economy and culture. Statistics showed that only 41 licence applications were made in the West End cumulative impact area in 2023-24, with just 16 granted. Furthermore, only 3.5% of applications reviewed by Westminster’s licensing subcommittee between 2023 and 2026 were approved exactly as applied for, while pub and wine bar applications fell by 80% between 2022 and 2024.
In his formal response to the consultation, Khan urged the council to adopt a “positive vision of economic growth” rather than restricting activity. He pointed to Manchester City Council as a model for an “enabling approach,” noting its lack of core hours or cumulative impact policies. Prime Minister Andy Burnham also supported the mayor’s stance, stating that standing to drink in pubs is a part of British life that should not be curtailed by local councillors.
Westminster Council has been contacted for comment regarding the mayor’s directive.
