GLA calls for increased powers on licensing control

Local authorities could be given widespread powers to oppose licences if the Greater London Authority (GLA) gets its way.

The GLA, which conducted a number of meetings last year on the impact of the 24-hour economy, believes that flexible opening hours will lead to more violence and disorder.

This comes despite the fact that the extended opening hours this New Year were heralded as a success among those in the trade, who reported a drop in binge-drinking and trouble on the streets.

Under the new licensing proposals, local authorities will take control of licensing from magistrates in 2004 and the London authority has called on the government to grant them more powers.

The GLA wants local authorities to be able to oppose the opening of licensed premises on the basis of saturation and also wants to allow health trusts and transport companies the right to object to licensing applications.

It is thought that other local authorities may well take the GLA's complaints on board.

Spokesman for the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) Mark Hastings said: "Local authorities are being given the role of judge on a licensing application. The power to raise objections is in the hands of the local people. What the local authority is asking for is to be judge, jury and chief witness for the prosecution.

"They don't need that much power to administer the granting of licences."

Caroline Nodder, spokeswoman for the British Institute of Innkeeping, said: "The GLA's proposals would lead to inconsistency, high fees and red tape, the very things that we hope will be eased by the reform.

"We would also disagree with the GLA's view that relaxing licensing hours would lead to an increase in late-night crime, noise and disorder.

"Pubs would no longer have to provide loud music and entertainment to stay open late and there would be less people leaving pubs at the same time, relieving congestion on the streets."

Staggered closing times proved successful over the holiday period, when pubs and bars were allowed to serve alcohol between 11am on New Year's Eve and 11pm on New Year's Day.

Ministers decided to extend drinking hours on New Year's Eve permanently following two years of successful trials.

Industry experts said the majority of pubs did not open for the entire 36 hours, with most choosing their own closing times in the early hours of the morning.

This is in line with The Publican's Market Report 2002, a survey of 700 licensees, which found that only four per cent of licensees intended to stay open for 36 hours.

The same report also showed that just one per cent would choose to open for 24 hours for the whole week if licensing reform gets the go ahead.

Tony Payne, chief executive of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations, said: "The staggered opening meant less crush on the streets and stopped binge-drinking."

BBPA spokeswoman Karen Kelshaw added: "The local police authorities have reported that there was very little trouble. It's another indication that we are ready for a more relaxed licensing regime."

It is hoped this evidence will convince the government not to side with the GLA.

In a survey among the top 100 pub operators, 63 per cent have cited licensing reform as their major concern for 2003. For more, see the Industry Report 2003, available on site as of tomorrow (Friday). For more on the Industry Report and the Publican's other special reports, click here.