Canterbury case proves trade landmark
The trade has won a landmark legal case against Canterbury City Council after a High Court judge ruled its licensing policy to be 'unlawful.
The British Beer & Pub Asso-ciation (BBPA), the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers and the British Institute of Inn-keeping (BII) claimed Canter- bury's policy was 'far too prescriptive, 'set broad blanket conditions and 'misled applicants on the conditions they needed to adhere to.
The decision has far reaching consequences for around 30 other local authorities whose policies are believed to be 'over-zealous. 'It is sufficient that my judgment speaks for itself not just to [Canterbury] but also to the other licensing authorities whose policies are under examination, said Justice Richards.
The BBPA said the judgment 'laid down a marker for all other councils. 'This is hugely significant not only for Canterbury but it is clear it applies to those with similar policies, said director of pubs and leisure Martin Rawlings.
BII chief executive Jon Mc-Namara said he hoped that the Canterbury ruling would make the minority of councils wishing to impose similar conditions think again.
However, Justice Richards exercised his discretion not to quash the policy because of the lack of time available to draw up a new one. He said the council had given him 'sufficiently strong assurances that it would make the necessary amendments.
A council spokesman said it would review its policy at the end of the transitional period in August.
Westminster and trade lock horns over hours p3
