W&DB slams Westminster Council for being draconian
A pub company that was fined for allowing people to "move rhythmically" has slammed Westminster Council for its draconian and over-zealous enforcement of licensing laws.
Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries - owner of high street chain Pitcher & Piano - was granted public entertainment licences at its Trafalgar Square and Soho venues this week.
The company was forced to apply for the PELs because it was fined for allowing people to "move rhythmically" to music in November last year.
This was despite the fact that licensees claim they had put up notices asking people not to dance because the premises were not adequately licensed.
Derek Andrews, managing director for the company's managed house estate, said: "I think the requirements to have a PEL are unnecessary and draconian but if this is the case then so be it."
He added that it had took more than a year for the council to process its licence applications and said he hoped it was not the shape of things to come.
But a Westminster Council spokesman said: "The music it played was considered by the licensing inspectors to be so loud and of such a nature as to encourage dancing. People were also seen dancing on the premises and no action was taken by staff to prevent this breach of the law.
"The options available to the Pitcher and Piano were to either change their music policy or apply for a public entertainment licence, which they did and these were granted last week.
"The Council is not being draconian by protecting the public's health and safety and upholding the law, it is regrettable if Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries think this is the case."
Related articles:
Pitcher and Piano fined for allowing drinkers to move 'rhythmically' (21 November 2002)
