Story perspectives

Westminster Council Faces Backlash Over Soho Pub Licensing Limits

9/8/2026

Summary

Story summary

Westminster City Council is advancing a licensing policy that limits vertical drinking and new pubs in Soho.
81% of consultation respondents opposed the council’s cumulative impact zone for bar and pub licences.
84% said the policy would harm West End businesses.
Only 3.5% of licensing applications were approved as submitted between 2023 and 2026.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan called the policy a “village-hall mindset” and urged removal.

History

Historical Context

The Licensing Act 2003, given royal assent on 10 July 2003 and fully effective 24 November 2005, replaced fragmented rules with a single premises licence and allowed local authorities to create cumulative-impact zones (CIZ) under guidance later reinforced by the Policing and Crime Act 2017. Westminster City Council’s proposed vertical-drinking policy draws on those CIZ powers, a move opposed by Mayor Sadiq Khan, echoing earlier London borough disputes.

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Story summary

Westminster City Council is advancing a licensing policy that limits vertical drinking and new pubs in Soho.
81% of consultation respondents opposed the council’s cumulative impact zone for bar and pub licences.
84% said the policy would harm West End businesses.
Only 3.5% of licensing applications were approved as submitted between 2023 and 2026.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan called the policy a “village-hall mindset” and urged removal.

1 / 2