Sir Sadiq Khan has launched a full-blown attack on Westminster council’s licensing of the West End accusing it of putting the interests of a small number of residents ahead of attempts to make London’s nightlife the “best in the world”.

The London Mayor unleashed stinging criticism of the Tory-run council over moves to favour hospitality businesses which operate up until 10pm.

The clash comes just days after Sir Sadiq criticised proposals to discourage drinking by people standing up outside pubs and other licensed premises in Soho and the wider West End.

He is demanding that the council ditches both proposals and a wider policy under the West End Cumulative Impact Zone against normally granting new licences for pubs, bars, fast food premises and music, dance or similar entertainment venues apart from in limited circumstances.

Westminster council now has to consult City Hall over its licensing plans under the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026.

The London Mayor is not able to order the council to take particular action on licensing.

But in the autumn, subject to legislative changes, he will get the power to “call in” licensing matters.

In a letter to the council in response to its draft statement of licensing policy 2026, the Mayor said: “London’s bars, clubs, pubs, and live music venues are the beating heart of our global city, bringing communities together and filling our streets with life and laughter.

“The capital’s nightlife sector supports 630,000 jobs and contributes more than £21 billion to Britain’s economy every year.

“Yet, for too long, an outdated, inconsistent, and illogical licensing system has treated London’s nightlife like a luxury, rather than recognising it for the essential and extraordinary national asset it is.”

He accused Westminster of taking licensing decisions “skewed towards the interests of a handful of highly vocal residents and councillors, without giving enough weight to the effects” on London’s wider economy and culture.

He added: “Westminster’s proposed approach would, if adopted, undermine City Hall’s efforts, supported by London businesses and others, including UK Hospitality, the Night Time Industries Association and Music Venue Trust, to make London’s nightlife the best in the world.“

The council’s draft policy states that it recognises the impact that the challenging economic climate is having on hospitality businesses and wants them to take advantage of all economic opportunities.

However, it adds, that this must not be to the detriment of the licensing objectives which include protecting the public and local residents.

“Evidence suggests, for example, that noise complaints about licensed premises are more prevalent between 22:00 and 23:00 than at other times of the day,” it explains.

“The Council is therefore more likely to support varied operations that promote the licensing objectives during the day and early evening, predominantly before 22:00.”

Hitting back at Sir Sadiq’s sustained criticism, Westminster chiefs accused him of undermining a thriving West End.

Cllr Tim Barnes, deputy leader of Westminster City Council and cabinet member for growth and planning, said: "We talk to pub and bar owners all the time, and their real issue is not licensing - it is the ever-mounting costs being loaded on them by central Government with venues facing rising bills and the increasing cost of employing staff.

"Cuts to policing mean people are worried about safety when they go out and an inadequate public transport network which doesn't allow them to go home when it gets late.

“Both of these are squarely the responsibility of the Mayor's office.”

He added: "If the Mayor was genuinely interested in helping the pub industry rather than simply a relentless power grab of licensing laws, he would address the real challenges to the industry."

The council also denied there were any plans to ban “vertical drinking”, people standing up, outside pubs in the West End.

In Westminster, there is a “Cumulative Impact Zone” for the West End, which lays out strict rules for opening times and the kinds of establishments that can open.

It means that across Soho, Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus and parts of Fitzrovia and Mayfair the council can refuse applications for bars, clubs and restaurants on the basis that it could lead to more crime or public nuisance.

The cumulative impact policy sets out a presumption to normally refuse applications for pubs, bars, fast food premises and music, dance or similar entertainment venues in the West End Cumulative Impact Zone, other than in limited circumstances.

In his response to Westminster council, Sir Sadiq called for this policy to be removed or revised so it does not operate as a blanket restriction.

Venues that are open can be hauled before a licensing review panel if a residents complain about noise or disturbances.