Camden Council's new licensing policy calls for zoning

Camden Council is looking to introduce a new licensing policy which will put a stop to late licences in key areas of the borough.

The policy, which mirrors the controversial policy already in place in Westminster, has been referred to a panel for further discussion after objections from some local councillors. If it does get the go ahead it could come into force as early as 2003.

But members of the trade fear that the new policy will lead to a repeat of the situation in Westminster where new late licences are banned and existing ones limited to 1am.

This has been challenged at every stage by licensees and bar operators but it seems that trade fears about the scheme being taken on by neighbouring councils have been realised.

If the policy in Camden is fully implemented it will see all new entertainment licence applications restricted to a standard 12 midnight and a 'zoning' policy will be introduced. Opening to 1am and later will be allowed, but only in areas that have been identified by the Urban Development Project (UDP) as major town centres and commercial streets.

New licensees will have to demonstrate that opening a new site "may result in a reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour" for the area, that it would not have any safety impact on local residents and that there is adequate transport to and from the premises.

Camden Inner London Licensee Association (CILLA) opposes the policy restrictions and feels that Camden is adopting an anti-licensing policy. Chairman, Michael Nichols, said: "The policy document will be used to restrict licensing. This will end up being regressive to existing licensees."

Kate Nicholls, spokeswoman for the Westminster Licensing Association (WLA), said: "We are obviously concerned that the tentacles of Westminster's policy is moving out of central London. We would very much hope that Camden's implementation of the policy will be more sensible and mature."

Meanwhile, Westminster Council is expected to publish its new licensing policy in October or November of this year.