Punters face being BANNED from ordering at the bar in thousands of pubs under new council rules

DRINKERS could face being banned from ordering at the bar at thousands of pubs in London. Westminster council, which is in charge of licensing rules for pubs in London’s busy Soho and West End, has set out its new draft policies. It said pubs applying for a license could be subject to conditions including requiring drinks only to be served by a waiter or waitress, rather than at the bar. They could also include customers having to be served while seated, and limits on the hours when alcohol can be served. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! The draft licensing policy states that pubs should: “Discourage excessive drunkenness and encourage the provision of more seating in premises that serve alcohol for people to sit and enjoy a drink and order food by table service in place of open bar space that caters for high volume vertical drinking.” The council has said it wants to crack down on large groups standing outside pubs. London’s Soho area has long been a favourite spot for after-work drinkers to gather. Large groups are often seen standing with their drinks on the street outside popular pubs, as there is simply not enough room inside. Critics of the new policy say it will undermine Britain’s longstanding pub culture and also be a financial hit for struggling pubs and bars. Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, criticised the “restrictive and anti-growth policies” and said he hoped to use new powers to be granted to him by government to stop councils from overreaching. Most read in Money Michael Kill, the chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, said: “Standing in pubs has always been part of Britain’s pub culture. It’s how people meet friends, watch live sport, wait to be served and enjoy the unique atmosphere that pubs have provided for generations. “Encouraging policies that favour more seating and reduced standing space risks changing the very character of these venues while reducing capacity, increasing operating costs and limiting flexibility for responsible businesses already under significant financial pressure.” The council is also planning to ban the opening of new pubs in bars across a large swathe of Soho and the West End. The draft policy says: “The council will normally refuse any application made in respect of a premises located in the West End Cumulative Impact Zone that is a pub or bar, a fast food premises or a venue offering music, dancing and similar entertainment.” It comes after The Soho Society, a community group funded by the council, vowed to object to all new bar and restaurant licences. The group claims it is aimed at “preserving the character of Soho” and has said it will also object to any venue that wants to open beyond “core hours”. The core hours set by Westminster council end between 10.30pm and midnight, depending on the business and the day of the week. Soho has long been known for its late-night scene, traditional pubs and jazz clubs. Councillor Tim Barnes, Westminster City Council deputy leader and cabinet member for growth and planning, said: “We want people to go out in the West End and have a good time. “Our guidance is simply about encouraging venues to manage their customers so people don’t pack onto pavements or excessive drinking doesn’t disturb others passing by.” He said Westminster Council is the country’s largest planning authority with 4,000 licensed venues, and that less than 1.5% of license applications are rejected. Comment now