Licensees' anger at rumours Westminster will be classed top LA
Rumours that Westminster Council is to be crowned one of the top local authorities in the country has angered licensees in central London.
Government watchdog the Audit Commission will announce the 18 best and worst performing councils next Thursday (December 12) in the first league table of its kind.
Although the results have yet to be announced, speculation that Westminster is in the top 18 has been reported in the national press.
But licensees in Westminster are up in arms at the news because of the council's stringent stance on licensed premises.
Spokeswoman for the Westminster Licensee's Association Kate Nicholls said: "I would put them in the bottom 18 when it comes to licensing, not the top 18."
Radical changes will give the best performing councils discretion to spend government money, according to the Local Government Association.
The news came as licensees from Soho and Westminster put Simon Milton, head of Westminster City Council, on the spot last week.
Critics accused the council of "flying in the face" of the government's move towards a 24-hour society at a meeting that marked the end of the consultation process with the trade on its new licensing policy.
Westminster wants to make pubs and bars close at a blanket terminal hour of 11pm for venues without entertainment and 1am or 3am for others.
Licensees are furious at the way they have been treated by the council. Last month, two bars in Westminster were fined for allowing customers to "rhythmically sway".
But the council chief defended the council's policy. Mr Milton said: "The West End cannot cope with further growth in licensed premises. We need mixed services, shops, businesses - not just pubs, restaurants and clubs."
Related articles:
Pitcher and Piano fined for allowing drinkers to move 'rhythmically' (21 November 2002)
