According to The Guardian, Khan used his formal response to the council’s draft licensing policy consultation to call for Westminster to remove its cumulative impact policy and core hours approach. The draft policy has already faced criticism after recommending venues move away from high volume “vertical drinking” and open bar space, with table service encouraged instead. Licensing powersThe intervention follows earlier criticism from Khan, who described the draft policy as “restrictive and anti growth”. Khan pointed to Manchester City Council as an example of a more enabling approach, with no core hours policy or cumulative impact policy. Westminster City Council has previously said its guidance was intended to help venues manage customers, reduce disturbance and prevent people packing onto pavements.