伦敦市长萨迪克·汗下令威斯敏斯特议会放弃在苏活区和西区禁止新酒吧和餐厅开设的政策[1]。这项政策曾标记整个苏活区和西区为"累积影响区"，除特殊情况外禁止新酒吧、酒馆或夜总会开业[1]。汗利用政府今年赋予的新权力首次干预许可决定，要求议会重新起草该政策[1]。
该禁令政策规定新开酒吧必须禁止顾客站立饮酒、实行桌台服务、最后点单时间不超过晚上10点[1]。统计数据显示政策影响显著——2023-24年西区累积影响区仅提交41份许可申请，其中仅16份获批[1]；在2023-2026年间，许可小委员会审理的申请中仅3.5%完全按申请获准，酒吧和葡萄酒吧申请在2022-24年间下降80%[1]。
汗认为这项政策损害了伦敦的经济和文化利益，表示"许可决定似乎偏向于少数极端居民和议员的利益，而没有充分考虑对伦敦更广泛经济和文化的影响"[1]。他要求议会"完全移除这一累积影响政策，制定促进经济增长的积极愿景，而不是限制活动"[1]。
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has directed Westminster Council to scrap a policy that prohibits the opening of new pubs and restaurants across Soho and the West End.[1] The policy had designated both areas as "cumulative impact zones," restricting new bars, pubs, or nightclubs from operating except in exceptional circumstances.[1] Khan exercised new powers granted to him by the government this year to intervene in licensing decisions for the first time, demanding that the council redraft the restrictions.[1]
The existing regulations have imposed significant constraints on new venues.[1] Any new establishments that are permitted must prohibit customers from standing while drinking, require table service, and enforce a last-call time of 10 p.m.[1] The impact has been pronounced: between 2023 and 2024, the West End cumulative impact zone received only 41 licensing applications, with just 16 being approved.[1] Additionally, only 3.5% of applications considered by the licensing subcommittee between 2023 and 2026 were approved exactly as submitted, while applications for bars and wine bars declined by 80% between 2022 and 2024.[1]
Khan criticized the policy, stating that "licensing decisions appear to be skewed toward the interests of a small number of extreme residents and councillors without adequately considering the broader impact on London's economy and culture."[1] He called on the council to "completely remove this cumulative impact policy and develop a positive vision that promotes economic growth rather than restricting activity."[1]