London mayor orders council to drop plan to ban new pubs and bars in Soho and West End
Summary
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has told Westminster council to cancel a plan that would stop new pubs and bars from opening in Soho and the West End. He wants to remove strict rules like banning standing drinks and curfews, arguing the plan could harm London’s nightlife and economy.Key Facts
- Westminster council proposed banning new pubs and bars in Soho and the West End, calling the area a "cumulative impact zone."
- The draft policy would have required pubs to serve customers only at tables and stop standing drinking.
- The policy also suggested early closing times: last orders at 10 pm and nightclubs closing by 11:30 pm on weekdays.
- Mayor Khan has new government-granted powers to intervene in licensing decisions and is using them to ask for the policy to be dropped.
- Data shows few new licenses have been applied for or approved recently in these areas.
- Khan wants to scrap all these restrictions and allow venues to stay open late, supporting nightlife and economic growth.
- Khan cited Manchester as a positive example that supports bars and pubs with fewer restrictions.
- Westminster council had not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
