Licensing Bill hit by pub boss

The national guidelines for the Licensing Bill are "not worth the paper they are written on", according to a pub company boss.

Vincent Healy, managing director of Ascot Inns, the nine-strong Berkshire-based pub company, says the guidelines will allow a "zoning" policy to be introduced through the back door.

He is concerned that pubs in areas with high numbers of residents will not be able to open as late as they might want to, despite the new licensing regime prohibiting local authorities from zoning.

The national guidance was produced in February by the government to outline the procedures all local authorities must follow in administering the bill, as well as outlining the responsibilities of the licensed trade.

But Mr Healy fears the policy will still give undue influence to residents' views. This, he argues, will enable licensing authorities to further restrict licences by reducing hours or the number of premises in certain areas.

"No council is going to admit a policy of zoning but they will restrict licences in residential areas on legitimate grounds that it will cause noise," he said.

"I think the guidelines are not sufficient and there should be definite instructions, rules and laws. I'm really concerned that councils will be able to get round the guidance quite easily.

"Councillors will listen to local residents above the needs of local businesses because residents are the ones that put them in their positions," Mr Healy added.

Mark Hastings, spokesman for the British Beer & Pub Association, says that all licensees have the right to appeal to magistrates against a local authority decision.

A spokeswoman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said: "The draft guidance for licensing authorities clearly states that zoning should not be used and explains why.

"This is statutory guidance and if licensing authorities depart from it they will need to justify their decision and could ultimately be open to judicial review."