‘It is British life’: Downing Street vows to stop councils trying to restrict standing in pubs

<p>Westminster council has recommended banning ‘vertical drinking’ or ordering at the bar in new draft licensing policy</p><p>No 10 has vowed to confiscate powers from local councils who try to restrict customers from standing up while drinking in pubs or ordering at the bar.</p><p>It comes after the Guardian <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/aug/06/westminster-council-wants-pubs-in-london-soho-west-end-ban-standing">revealed on Thursday</a> that Westminster council in central London recommended not allowing “vertical drinking” or ordering at the bar in its<a href="https://licensingpolicies.commonplace.is/"> new draft licensing policy.</a></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/aug/06/downing-street-stop-councils-restricting-standing-in-pubs">Continue reading...</a>