Dudley Council document makes late hours impossible'

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council has been accused of making it impossible for pubs to extend their hours by producing an "absolute minefield" of a licensing policy that is "over and above the remit of the [Licensing] Act".

The council has produced a nine-page guidance document, detailing a host of environmental health and safety conditions that must be met in the operating schedule.

It says that it is "essential" for licensees to address the matters or risk facing an objection from the environmental health officer. Despite covering nine pages, the council says the "list is not exhaustive" and encourages applicants to consider other matters they consider relevant to the premises.

"It seems environmental health want to close us down," said Matthew Batham, estate director of Dudley-based brewer and operator Bathams. "The whole spirit of the act was that it should be easy and free of red tape. We were going to apply for an extra hour but we might now go for a straight conversion because of all the hassle."

Morning Advertiser legal expert Peter Coulson said: "It is over the top and I call upon Lacors to reign in these authorities. The sheer extent of it is disproportionate. There is no way you would even be able to fit all the information in the relevant box anyway. These are environmental health issues not licensing issues."

It is understood that the British Beer and Pub Association has taken up the issue with the council. Dudley MBC was unavailable for comment when contacted by the MA.