Westminster Council has come under fire from businesses and the Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan about the licensing policy which wants to remove “vertical drinking” and encourage table service in Soho and the West End. READ MORE:Sir Sadiq is set to gain new powers that will allow him to “call-in and amend certain decisions”, according to the draft policy. A spokesperson for the mayor said the draft policy highlighted the new powers’ importance. To explain the strategy behind the draft policy, the council said it wishes to “promote a more balanced range of venues that are less dominated by alcohol-led activities”. “It’s been like that for years where people are standing and drinking, it’s not causing crime, it’s not causing issues.