Westminster Council Presses Ahead with Soho Licensing Curbs Despite Consultation Opposition

Unbiased summary

Westminster City Council, led by the Conservatives, has confirmed it will implement its new licensing policy for Soho, which includes keeping a cumulative impact zone that restricts new bar and pub licenses, and measures aimed at reducing 'vertical drinking' (standing while drinking) by requiring table service or seating for new venues. The policy follows a consultation in which 81% of respondents disagreed with the cumulative impact zone and 84% said it would harm business. London Mayor Sadiq Khan accused the council of 'breathtaking arrogance' for ignoring this feedback and called the policy a threat to nightlife. Prime Minister Andy Burnham also defended vertical drinking as 'British life.' The council's deputy leader, Tim Barnes, argued that opposition stemmed from misunderstanding of the document and highlighted a lack of police investment as a separate issue. The council says it has no plans to ban vertical drinking outright.

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Coverage by outlet

The Guardian left

Angle Frames Westminster council as out-of-touch, arrogant Conservative authority undermining London's cultural and economic vitality.

Bias The Guardian emphasizes Khan's criticism and the high percentage of public opposition, omitting any counterarguments from the council beyond a brief dismissal. It highlights the council's claim that critics 'did not understand' as evidence of arrogance, while downplaying the council's stated policing rationale. The tone is clearly supportive of Khan and critical of the council.

Curbs on vertical drinking in Soho pubs to go ahead as Khan criticises council’s ‘breathtaking arrogance’

City AM centre-right

Angle Reports the row as a political dispute, giving slightly more weight to the council's defence than to Khan's criticism.

Bias City AM provides a more balanced summary, including the council's rationale about lower noise and orderly dispersal, and cites the deputy leader's point about police investment. However, it still leads with Khan's 'breathtaking arrogance' quote and describes the council as 'doubling down.' It omits the specific consultation percentages (81%, 84%) though it mentions 'widespread outrage.' The tone is neutral but leans slightly toward reporting the council's side as a legitimate governance issue rather than a straightforward attack.

‘Vertical drinking’ row rumbles on in Westminster

GB News right

Angle Presents the council as absurd 'killjoys' attacking a cherished British tradition, using populist language to stoke outrage.

Bias GB News uses loaded terms like 'killjoy' and 'crusade' and notes the prime minister's backing for vertical drinking, but omits Khan's specific policy recommendations and the consultation's business impact figures. The story emphasizes the 'mass outrage' and the council's dismissive response, while ignoring the council's argument about policing concerns and any nuance about the cumulative impact zone. The coverage simplifies the issue to a culture war.

Killjoy council will push ahead with crusade against 'vertical drinking' despite mass outrage