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Westminster bans vertical drinking; Khan vows 2026 intervention

8/6/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Westminster council issued a policy banning vertical drinking in Soho and West End.
Mayor Sadiq Khan called the policy restrictive and will use 2026 powers to call in decisions.
The policy mandates waiter-only service for alcohol and food and blocks new venue applications in an impact zone.
Philip Kolvin KC and Night Time Industries Association chief Michael Kill warned the policy could hurt cohesion and raise costs for strained businesses.

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Story summary

Westminster council issued a policy banning vertical drinking in Soho and West End.
Mayor Sadiq Khan called the policy restrictive and will use 2026 powers to call in decisions.
The policy mandates waiter-only service for alcohol and food and blocks new venue applications in an impact zone.
Philip Kolvin KC and Night Time Industries Association chief Michael Kill warned the policy could hurt cohesion and raise costs for strained businesses.