Dave Hill On London: Politics, Places, People

Dave Hill On London: Politics, Places, People

On London Extra: Night time histrionics

There is no plan to ban 'vertical drinking' in the West End. Plus DLR video special, the Camden fringe begins, a "robotaxi" green light and a bus strike on its way

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Dave Hill
Aug 07, 2026
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This is my twice-weekly, paid-for newsletter. Here I also republish for free stuff I’ve written elsewhere. For £5 a month or £50 a year, paying subscribers fund my no ads, no AI, multi-contributor journalism website OnLondon.co.uk. Free trial available. Thanks.

The West End is undergoing significant change of various kinds. It is an area long-characterised by a complex weave of office, entertainment, retail and residential uses, some of them at times in tension and all of them integral to an urban ecosystem that does much to keep the entire UK economy going.

This varied and profoundly mixed-use London district requires deft city management guided by intelligent debate. Instead, too often of late, it is subjected to false reporting and confected rows.

Yesterday’s media histrionics about Westminster Council’s draft statement of its new licensing policy were inspired by some pretty old news about a proposed policy change that is, in the greater scheme of things, rather small beer.

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