London Mayor Sadiq Khan has formally directed Westminster City Council to abandon a proposed licensing policy that would have placed significant restrictions on new hospitality venues in Soho and the West End. The council’s draft plan aimed to prevent the opening of new pubs and bars in these areas, citing concerns over density and public order.

Central to the controversy was the council’s attempt to regulate the behavior of patrons within these establishments. The draft policy included measures to discourage 'vertical drinking'—a term used to describe customers standing while consuming beverages—and proposed a requirement for mandatory table service, effectively banning customers from ordering drinks directly at the bar. These proposals were intended to be part of a new licensing framework currently undergoing public consultation.

Following reports on the potential impact of these rules, the Mayor’s office intervened, arguing that the restrictions would be detrimental to the city's nightlife economy. While the council framed the measures as a way to manage the high volume of visitors and maintain safety in the district, the Mayor’s directive forces the council to reconsider these specific constraints. The move highlights an ongoing tension between local council efforts to manage urban density and the Mayor’s broader goal of supporting London’s hospitality sector.