Number 10 have joined in on criticing Westminster Council for ‘discouraging’ bar service and standing while drinking.
The council, which oversees Soho and the West End, is trying to encourage less ‘vertical drinking’ and more table service in a new draft proposal.
This includes more tables and chairs in place of an open bar space, and the sale of alcohol to be done through waiters only.
The proposals have been slamed by those who not only love London’s nightlife, but also politicians who are trying to boost growth in the capital.
This includes Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, who told Metro ‘the attitudes and actions’ of the council are ‘astonishing’.
Sacha Lord, who was Andy Burnham’s Greater Manchester night-time adviser, also compared the policies to being ‘dragged back to the Covid era’.
Now, Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s Downing Street team have waded in the row, saying pubs are ‘a part of British life’.
They said: ‘Busy pubs full of people talking to each other is not a public nuisance, it is British life and it is thousands of jobs.
‘The Government is devolving new licensing powers to the Mayor to help support pubs and nightlife.
‘Soho did not become world famous by taking last orders early, switching the lights off at 10 o’clock.
‘The Prime Minister encourages local leaders to work with the industry so that pubs can continue to thrive.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.