Why there is a row about standing up while drinking in Westminster
Westminster City Council is proposing new licensing rules that aim to reduce 'vertical drinking' in London's West End. The draft policy encourages venues to provide more seating and table service to curb excessive drunkenness in the area.
Why it matters
This policy shift highlights the ongoing tension between maintaining a vibrant nightlife economy and managing public order and residential quality of life in dense urban centers.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Pubs are among Soho's many attractions
It has been claimed so-called vertical drinking is under threat in the heart of London's West End.
In short: standing up to have a drink, often outside.
The borough of Westminster has more licensed venues than anywhere else in the UK with about 500 pubs, bars and wine bars, and roughly 1,750 cafes and restaurants.
It follows a report on page three of Thursday's Guardian newspaper, headlined "Time at the bar? Council accused of trying to stop pubs being pubs with 'no standing' plan". The headline in its online version of the story has since been tweaked , external .
By 1 October, Westminster City Council (WCC) needs to update its current licensing policy - drawn up in 2021.
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