Key facts
- The UK government will prevent local councils from restricting standing in pubs.
- Downing Street will grant London Mayor Sadiq Khan new powers to override local licensing decisions.
- Westminster Council proposed limiting "vertical drinking" and mandating table service only in Soho pubs.
- The council also suggested earlier last orders for new pubs in Soho.
The UK government has announced its intention to prevent local councils from implementing restrictive licensing policies that limit customers' ability to stand while drinking in pubs or order at the bar. This intervention comes after Westminster Council in central London proposed measures in its draft licensing policy that would discourage "vertical drinking" and potentially mandate table service only, along with earlier last orders for new establishments in nightlife districts like Soho.