Kmflett's Blog

In the summer Westminster Council published draft regulations covering licensed premises in the West End of London.

They seemed to suggest that pubs and bars should focus on seating and discourage drinking at the bar. Standing in pubs, (at may age I do prefer a seat btw!)is a key part of its social context. A chat with a friend or a stranger as you wait to be served or after you have been part of the shared social fabric of society.

The proposals were not well received. Indeed it might be said that when a campaign gets the backing of the Mayor of London and 10 Downing St it should succeed.

It has but the wider protest from rank and file drinkers was also key.

Westminster Council (Morning Advertiser report) have now produced some updated regulations where they claim earlier references to standing were just ‘technical jargon’. Of course.

Now they are focusing on better night bus service and extending the night tube to Thursday. They also want more not less Met Police because they say licensing applications are often refused on the basis that the police don’t have the resource to keep an eye on them.

Modest progress in history.