Beda opposes divisive'alcohol disorder zones

by The PMA Team

The trade body for late-night operators has delivered a stinging critique of the Government's proposed alcohol disorder zones.

Bar Entertainment and Dance Association (Beda) chief executive Jon Collins has claimed, in a submission to Government, that disorder zones are "unnecessary, divisive and present the police with a conflict of interest".

Collins said: "ADZs appear to be a very blunt instrument ill-equipped to tackle a complex problem. Disorder is not necessarily down to poorly run on-licensed premises.

"For example, it could be down to people taking advantage of supermarket offers to preload on alcohol, arriving in the city centre drunk and causing problems when refused entry to premises or a lack of public and private transport meaning potential aggressors and victims are left to roam the streets at the end of the evening in the vain hunt for a trip home."

Collins argues that police involvement should not be allowed in declaring an alcohol disorder zone. "A cynic could think the police might reduce their presence in an area simply to try to recover the costs of putting officers back again," he said.

"Declaring an ADZ would be unjust to the majority of responsibly-run premises in an area, damage the tourist economy and drive out responsible drinkers.

"In fact, ADZs could actually increase problems as the responsible drinkers move elsewhere and the irresponsible drinkers move in, attracted by the idea of a pint and a fight."

Collins claimed that ADZs could become a "self-fulfilling prophecy", undermining good businesses while merely adding a new overhead for problem premises.

He said: "If the police and council are aware of which premises are triggering disorder through poor management then they can simply use the powers already available to them to close those venues rather than tar all operators with the same brush."