Fury as MORE woke councils plan to crack down on ‘vertical drinking’ & ban ordering at bar in fresh blow to pubs

A RAFT of woke councils have considered plans to limit ordering at the bar in fresh blows to hard-up hospitality venues. It comes after Westminster Council consulted on plans to clamp down on so-called “vertical drinking”. A raft of woke councils have considered plans to limit ordering at the bar Credit: Getty It comes after Westminster Council consulted on plans to clamp down on ‘vertical drinking’ Credit: Getty A policy document revealed new bars in party hub Soho may be forced to take orders from tables. Publicans have warned the move would damage businesses and kill the tradition of ordering at the bar. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! It came as PM Andy Burnham’s spokesman waded into the row to say standing up to drink a pint was “British life”. A Sun probe has found other councils are also discouraging “vertical drinking” in new bars, including North West party hub Blackpool. A licensing guidance document from January says that “Applications for premises with mixed use including food and entertainment which cater for families and older adults are encouraged.” However, in a section called “Encouraging diversity,” would-be booze sellers are warned: “Applications for premises whose predominant offer is vertical drinking are not encouraged. “But if applications are made for such premises, it is expected that the operating schedule will demonstrate robust arrangements for promoting the licensing objectives.” In the West Midlands, Wolverhampton Council has vowed to move the city away from an “alcohol-led culture.” Most read in The Sun A Sun probe has found other councils are also discouraging ‘vertical drinking’ in new bars Credit: Getty A spokesperson for PM Andy Burnham said standing up drinking a pint was ‘British life’ Credit: AFP Bosses have told new restaurant applicants that “there will be no vertical drinking” at their venues. And late night cafe bars have also been warned: “The sale of intoxicating liquor and other beverages shall be waiter/waitress service for consumption by persons seated at tables”. Merton Council, in South West London, wants operators to take “robust steps… to prevent vertical drinking” as one of the conditions for winning an exemption from its toughest late-opening restrictions in Wimbledon town centre. The area is in a “cumulative impact zone”, which means licence applications are treated with extra scrutiny. New venues must also agree to “restaurant-style conditions” where alcohol is only permitted if it is served alongside a sit-down meal late at night. The policies all relate to new applications for venues, meaning rules for existing pubs are unaffected. Hospitality business experts warned any limit on standing up to enjoy a tipple could rock the sector’s stability. Other experts warned the cumulative effects of the policies was effectively a ban on new pubs. Ellie Eames, director of CAMRA Greater London, said: “Banning the opening of pubs in Soho and the West End is absolutely absurd, especially when the country is losing more of these valued community spaces at an alarming rate. “With the Government already trying to weaken planning protections for pubs in England, Westminster Council must recognise the contributions local pubs make to the economy and reconsider this decision before we lose any more.” Westminster Council deputy leader Tim Barnes previously suggested that it was “utterly ludicrous” for people to interpret the Soho proposals as a plan to ban standing in pubs. PM Andy Burnham’s spokesman said yesterday: “Busy pubs full of people talking to each other is not a public nuisance, it is British life and it is thousands of jobs.” A Merton Council spokeswoman said: “There is no ban on standing up and having a drink in Merton’s pubs and bars, and no plan to introduce one. “A small part of Wimbledon town centre already has a high number of licensed venues. “Special licensing rules have been in place there for a number of years because of alcohol-related issues. “Anyone applying for a licence there needs to show they won’t add to problems. Every application is considered individually and according to national licensing rules. “Our updated policy is about supporting great pubs, bars and restaurants while keeping people safe and protecting those who live nearby.” A City of Wolverhampton Council spokesman said: “Our Statement of Licensing Policy looks to manage vertical drinking in restaurants where venues are only permitted to sell alcohol to customers having seated meals. “However, the policy provides a framework for decision-making, and every application is considered on its own merits.” The Sun has contacted Blackpool Council for comment. Comment now