Sadiq Khan Orders Westminster Council to Scrap Nightlife Ban

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan ordered Westminster Council to scrap a draft licensing policy that would have prohibited new pubs and bars from opening in Soho and the West End. The council had designated these districts as cumulative impact zones, which would ban new venues except under exceptional circumstances.

The contested policy also proposed restrictions on vertical drinking by requiring table service and banning customers from standing while consuming beverages. Additionally, the draft introduced strict core hours, mandating last orders at 10 p.m. for pubs and midnight weekend closures for nightclubs.

Khan utilized new government-granted powers to intervene in licensing for the first time, arguing that the proposals prioritize a handful of vocal residents over the wider economy and culture of London. Prime Minister Andy Burnham also criticized the restrictions, stating that standing up to drink in pubs is a staple of British life and should not be curtailed by local councillors.