Pub Owners and Politicians Oppose 'Vertical Drinking' Restrictions

WHO:

ABC News - Prime Minister Andy Burnham and London Mayor Sadiq Khan are involved in opposing the proposal.

ABC News - Lesley Lewis, who has run the French House pub in Soho for 37 years, is a pub landlord expressing concerns.

AP News - Paul Swaddle is the council leader of Westminster City Council.

WHAT:

CNN - The public has until "Sunday" to respond to the council's proposal regarding "vertical drinking."

AP News - The British Beer and Pub Association reported that there were "44,650 pubs nationwide in 2025," down from "60,800 in 2000," indicating a decline in the number of pubs.

ABC News - A proposal by Westminster City Council aims to limit "vertical drinking," defined as having a pint while standing.

AP News - The council's draft licensing policy includes a proposal to discourage "excessive drunkenness" and encourage table service.

AP News - Westminster has more pubs, bars, and restaurants licensed to sell alcohol than any other local authority in the U.K.

WHERE:

ABC News - The proposal is being discussed in Westminster, London, specifically in the West End, a nightlife hub.

WHY:

CNN - A spokesperson for 10 Downing Street stated that "Soho did not become world famous by taking last orders early, switching the lights off at 10 o’clock," emphasizing the importance of the nightlife industry.

ABC News - The council's goal is to reduce noise and disorderly behavior by encouraging more seated service.

AP News - A spokesman for Burnham stated that pubs full of people standing around sharing a pint is a part of "British life."

HOW:

CNN - Paul Swaddle, leader of Westminster City Council, clarified that there is "no plan, and never has been, to ban drinking while standing up in a Westminster pub."

ABC News - The council's proposal is part of a draft policy that is still open for public comment.

AP News - Khan suggested he would use new powers granted to his office later this year to review the Westminster policy.

(UPDATED August 7, 2026 22:31 UTC)

The public has until Sunday to respond to the council's proposal regarding vertical drinking, which has sparked significant discussion. Meanwhile, the British Beer and Pub Association reported a notable decline in the number of pubs across the UK, with only 44,650 remaining in 2025 compared to 60,800 in 2000. Paul Swaddle, leader of Westminster City Council, emphasized that there is no plan to ban drinking while standing up in a Westminster pub, countering some of the concerns raised.

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(UPDATED August 7, 2026 14:19 UTC)

In Westminster, London, a proposal from the city council aims to limit "vertical drinking," which is defined as having a pint while standing, in an effort to reduce noise and disorderly behavior in the bustling West End nightlife hub. Prime Minister Andy Burnham and London Mayor Sadiq Khan are opposing this initiative, while local pub landlord Lesley Lewis, who has run the French House pub in Soho for 37 years, has expressed concerns about the impact on British social culture. The council's draft licensing policy, which is still open for public comment, includes measures to discourage excessive drunkenness and promote table service, with Khan indicating he may review the policy using new powers granted to his office later this year.