A London council has come under fire after drafting plans to stop punters standing in pubs and bars in Soho and the West End.Westminster Council would like to encourage table service in a bid to curb 'excessive drunkenness' and anti-social behaviour in the capital's busiest nightlife district.New policies would also see extra seating brought to venues that serve alcohol, replacing open bar space, so people can order food by table service.Lesley Lewis, the owner of Soho's famous French House pub and dining room, has expressed concern over the proposals – saying they could lead to closures, redundancies and loss of business.Ms Lewis, 71, who has owned the venue for 37 years, said the policy, if implemented, 'will kill the whole business'.She said: 'It will really finish us off. We rely on those people standing up with the rents and the rates put upon us.'People want to enjoy themselves in Soho, they want to have a drink outside, they want to dance, they don't want to sit down and just be where they are, they want to meet people and chat.'People will go to other places like Camden Town that are a bit more exciting and a bit more licence friendly.' Pictured: Punters stood outside a pub in Soho as cyclists ride past. Critics have claimed Westminster Council is attempting to kill London's nightlife People enjoying a drink outside The Sun & 13 Cantons pub and restaurant in the West End in April this yearAsked what effect the potential changes could have, Ms Lewis said: 'I don't think people will come to Soho if it's that sanitised, it'll kill it.'It's always had that little bit of naughtiness. Our restaurant might survive, but the bar supports the restaurant.'I know a lot of people will be made redundant. I'm sure it's the same across the board for anybody like us.'We shall have to fight it on all fronts.'The Council's existing policy is that there is 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'.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'.Defending the draft policy, Conservative councillor Timothy Barnes posted on X: 'Our guidance is simply about encouraging venues to manage their customers so people don't pack onto pavements or excessive drinking doesn't disturb others passing by.'He added: 'We are the country's largest planning authority with some 4,000 licensed venues. The London nightlife of years gone by: Rolling Stones perform onstage at the Angus pub in Soho, London, England, 1963. Visible are Mick Jagger (left) and Charlie Watts (1941 – 2021), on drums David Bowie at the Wag Club in London's Soho for a one–off screening at the MTV Awards Reggie Kray with actress Barbara Windsor and her then husband Ronnie Knight, an associate of the Krays, at the twins' El Morocco nightclub, in Soho, London, April 1965'We reject less than 1.5 per cent of licence applications and there is a strong desire to see thriving, profitable, venues across Westminster.'As we have made clear we are happy to work with the Mayor of London on licensing and have just launched our own campaign to promote nights out in Soho.'In response to the draft policy, the Soho Business Alliance said: 'I think they're trying to reduce the capacities in these venues.'It's been like that for years where people are standing and drinking, it's not causing crime, it's not causing issues.'It's them trying to change the nature of Soho and it's quite sad that they've gone to such lengths to sanitise the area. They don't want the late–night economy.'This policy completely contradicts the Mayor of London's London plan.'London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan is set to gain new powers that will allow him to 'call–in and amend certain decisions', according to the draft policy, following his criticism of the proposals.A spokesman for the mayor said the draft policy highlighted the new powers' importance.They said: 'This is more evidence that restrictive and anti–growth policies aren't working.'At a time when venues need our support more than ever, the rules on licensing are stacked against them.'The new powers mean the Mayor will be able to call in licensing decisions and have a say in local policies to protect London's vital nightlife and hospitality industries.'Earlier this year, Westminster Council sparked backlash after launching a plan dubbed 'Westminster After Dark' – setting out a 'blueprint for managing the city after 6pm'.Recommendations from the plan included encouraging venues to host 'quiet nights' with reduced noise levels, dimmed lighting and designated calm zones.The council also attempted to discourage nights out by offering 'non–alcohol–led activities' by keeping shops and museums open later.The strategy was broadly adopted, acting as a framework for future planning and licensing decisions. One person said on social media at the time: 'Are you trying to kill off the last remaining elements of London nightlife.'Another wrote: 'If this is what you want in your surrounding area, why even live in London.'The 'decline' of west London's nightlife has also been attributed to organised crime and drug abuse.In February, Michelin-star restaurateur Vikas Nath, 63, was found guilty of spiking a woman's drink with a date-rape drug after she left him alone with the drink in the rooftop garden bar at the private members' club Annabel's in Mayfair.Gangs of thieves operating on mopeds in the city have targeted elite clubs, stigmatising them in the process.The Rolling Stones star Mick Jagger's partner Melanie Hamrick, 39, posted to social media in the early hours of the morning on February 11, that she had been 'attacked' by two muggers from behind outside the same club.She wrote she was 'shaken', saying: 'This is incredibly hard to share, but I was physically attacked at Annabel's Mayfair tonight.'Two people grabbed me from behind, and thank god for good people who stepped in to help me.'