The Standard
· collected 2026-09-07 · by Rachael Burford and Tom Place
Westminster council's Deputy Leader Tim Barnes has called on Mayor Sadiq Khan to reverse recent cuts to the Metropolitan Police's licensing team and invest in more officers in Soho. The council argues that crime and transport issues are driving away revellers, not "vertical drinking" as previously reported. According to the council, 24-hour Tube services should be extended to Thursdays and extra night buses provided to reduce crowding at closing time. A spokeswoman for Lord Khan disputed these claims, citing falling rates of knife-enabled crime and theft in London, and highlighting his efforts to support the city's nightlife through initiatives like the Night Tube.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-07,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The Westminster City Council is calling on London Mayor Sadiq Khan** to support Soho's pubs and nightlife, citing concerns about crime and transport cuts. The council argues that recent reductions to the Metropolitan Police's licensing team have made it harder for officers to patrol the area, and are asking for more visible policing presence in Soho. They also want additional night buses and extended 24-hour Tube services on Thursdays to reduce crowding at closing time and help people leave safely. The council claims that these issues are having a negative impact on the hospitality industry, with thousands of jobs at risk if they're not addressed. This comes after Downing Street intervened in the dispute last month, stating that busy pubs are an integral part of British life and should be supported by new licensing powers being devolved to the Mayor.
Written for “London Pub Drinking Restrictions” on 2026-09-07,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
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Leaning score +0.35 for article 6464 (high confidence, 2 verified quotes) · logged 2026-09-07
Downing Street wade into the dispute last month, with the Prime Minister’s spokesman saying: “Busy pubs full of people talking to each other is not a public nuisance, it is British life and it is thousands of jobs.
asserted
it → wade → jobs
“The Government is devolving new licensing powers to the Mayor to help support pubs and nightlife.
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Government → devolve → pubs
“Soho did not become world famous by taking last orders early, switching the lights off at 10 o’clock.”
asserted
Soho → become → o’clock
But the Tory-run council argued the main concern of residents and businesses was crime and transport cuts putting off revellers, according to its consultation.
uncertain
cuts → run → consultation
It has called on Lord Khan to reverse recent cuts to the Metropolitan Police’s licensing team, which has been halved, and invest in more, visible and dedicated officers in the area.
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which → call → area
Extra night buses should be provided in central London and 24-hour Tube services should be extended to Thursdays to reduce crowding at closing time and help people leave the area safely, the town hall added.
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hall → provide → area
Westminster council’s Deputy Leader, Tim Barnes, said: “Beyond disagreements over policy jargon there are serious issues acting as a drag on our hospitality industry.
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Leader → say → industry
Read More
“A lack of investment in policing has left the Met objecting to many licensing applications over public safety concerns.
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lack → read → concerns
People struggle to get home from a night out when late night bus routes have been cut and overnight Tube services are non-existent during the week.
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services → struggle → week
“We’ve spent the summer taking feedback from residents, the hospitality industry and visitors.
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We → spend → residents
We’ll take this on board and do our bit to support the hospitality industry but we need the Mayor’s team to fund the services which make London a 24 hour city."
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London → take → services
A spokeswoman for Lord Khan said he is “committed to doing everything he can to make London’s high streets thrive”, pointing to falling rates of knife enabled crime and theft in the capital.
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streets → say → capital
The spokeswoman said: “In addition, Sadiq’s newly opened Command Cell in the heart of the West End is now serving as a central point for police and partners to share intelligence, identify suspects and co-ordinate action to make our streets safer for Londoners and visitors alike.
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streets → say → Londoners
“The mayor is also helping people travel safely and affordably at all hours with London’s Night Tube.
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people → help → Tube
“It provides a vital boost for our night-time economy, supporting local businesses across the capital and keeping London moving around the clock.”
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It → provide → clock
