Plan to limit ‘vertical drinking’ decried by pub landlords and UK politicians
Westminster says the draft would curb excessive drunkenness by steering venues toward seated service and table orders instead of open bar space.
- Westminster City Council sparked widespread backlash over a draft licensing proposal targeting "vertical drinking," a bureaucratic term for customers having a pint while standing up inside and outside pubs.
- Political leaders strongly condemned the idea, with London Mayor Sadiq Khan warning against managing a global nightlife hub with a "village-hall mindset" and government officials defending standing pub culture as a fundamental part of British life.
- Pub landlords warn that restricting standing crowds threatens their economic survival, emphasizing that high West End rents and property taxes make high-volume standing service essential, particularly during peak summer evenings.
- Westminster Council leaders pushed back against the criticism, clarifying that the draft policy is open for public consultation and aims to curb late-night noise and disorder by encouraging seated table service rather than outright banning standing drinkers.
- The row underscores ongoing friction between residential concerns and London's nightlife, as local authorities attempt to manage neighborhood noise while national leaders prioritize supporting the hospitality sector's economic recovery.
30 Articles
30 Articles
Blackpool rejects 'vertical drinking' to 'encourage diversity' as even MORE councils join woke crusade
Blackpool rejects 'vertical drinking' to 'encourage diversity' as even MORE councils join woke crusade . A string of councils across England have had their plans to target "vertical drinking" exposed amid a bitter row over the practice in London
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is not in office for a month yet – and his government has already announced the fight against London's local governments
Residents of central London are being asked to give their opinion on the question: Should vertical drinking – that is, pub patrons standing up with their glasses – be restricted? Emotions have been aroused at a national level, and a spokesperson for the Prime Minister is quoted by the BBC: – Well-frequented pubs where people talk to each other are not a public nuisance, it is British life and thousands of jobs.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 41% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
