Standing in pubs might ‘die out’ as councils crack down on ‘vertical consuming’
Pubs are under pressure to ‘ban’ standing up while ordering and having a drink. Killjoy councils have been accused of cracking down on the habit by forcing boozers to either outlaw the habit or risk losing their licence.
Local authorities up and down the country are advising landlords that if they make their venues sitting-room only they are more likely to be awarded the proper permits. They include Westminster City Council, which oversees iconic London areas like Soho and the West End, along with Reading and Stockton-on-Tees.
But the move to abolish ‘vertical drinking’ has been met with fury from campaigners who say it “goes against everything a pub should be”.
Do you think venues should move away from standing while drinking? (Image: UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Ellie Eames, of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), labelled the shift as “absurd”. She said: “Licensees are in a position to judge what’s best for both their business, staff and customers.
“It’s always been part of British culture to order pints at the bar without the requirement to remain seated. How else are consumers meant to make the most of wellbeing benefits pubs offer with a ‘vertical drinking’ ban?”
Landlord Colin Taylor, who runs the independent Toucan pub in Soho, told the Daily Star: “The council’s proposal goes against everything a pub should be. We have lots of people standing outside our bar during opening hours and so [any change] would damage our business to a great extent”.
The Daily Star found evidence of licenses specifically outlawing ‘vertical drinking’ for specific venues
Reading Council states in its licensing policy it wants to move away from “alcohol-led vertical drinking establishments” in order to “discourage drunkenness”.
Officials in Stockton-on-Tees, Durham admit that venues looking to allow vertical drinking will be scrutinised “particularly closely”. Westminster’s move to encourage sit-down drinking was unearthed in its licensing policy.
The policy, currently out for consultation, states: “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.”
It includes limiting sales of booze and food so they are by “waiter or waitress service only”.
Colin Taylor, who owns the Toucan in Soho(Image: The Toucan Soho)
London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan branded the proposals as “restrictive and anti-growth policies”. Labour MP Dawn Butler posted: “This isn’t a draft policy, it’s a DAFT policy. Trying to stop people standing at the bar? London’s nightlife needs support, not more restrictions.”
Westminster Council deputy leader Tim Barnes defended the council’s position, and claimed that many of the facts were being taken “out of context”. He insisted that it was “utterly ludicrous” to suggest the authority is “planning to ‘ban’ people standing up in pubs”.
The councillor 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.
“We are the country’s largest planning authority with some 4,000 licensed venues. We reject less than 1.5% of license applications and there is a strong desire to see thriving, profitable, venues across Westminster.
“As we have made clear we are happy to work with the Mayor of London on licensing and have just launched our own campaign to promote nights out in Soho.”
