Restaurant industry speaks out on licensing

As discussion on late-night licensing continues, the restaurant industry has added its voice to the debate.

Chris Bodker of Moving Image Restaurants and board member of the Restaurant Association has spoken out against moving licensing to local authority control.

Speaking at the third consultation on the possible effects of 24-hour licensing in the capital, he questioned the ability of local authorities to be impartial.

"They have a vested interest in the people that vote for them, " he said.

He also called for the control of public entertainment licences to be moved from local authorities to magistrates and claimed that increased licence fees would be an added burden for the industry.

"Any further burden on today's industry would be hard to bear, " he said.

Kensington & Chelsea councillor Daniel Moylan supports the move to local authorities and advocates them having increased powers.

"I do not see staggered hours being enforceable unless local authorities are able to look at the cumulative effect," he said.

Supporting licensing reform at the meeting was Wendy Neville, director of development at the London Tourist Board. She supports licensing reform but within a framework which takes account of the issue of transport. She said: "Its not just people visiting but also for people working in the industry."

But there were some positive outcomes to the debate with Mike Cartwright, councillor for the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, claiming success with a local initiative in Shepherds Bush.

He reported that a group consisting of local residents, pubs and restaurants and the police now had monthly meetings to discuss the issues related to the late night economy.

Mr Cartwright said: "Previously residents were always opposed but that does not happen any more."

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Related articles:​

Greater London Authority consults on 24-hour licensing (16 July 2002)

Trade joins debate at GLA's second 24-hour licensing consultation meeting (3 July 2002)

Freeze new licenses in London's West End, says report (3 July 2002)

Howells outlines licensing reform plans (25 June 2002)

Pubs to be hit with cost of reform for 24-hour licensing (20 June 2002)