Call for trade to take on Westminster Council

by John Harrington

Calls are mounting for the trade to launch a judicial review into Westminster City Council's controversial licensing policy.

There is increasing feeling among pub operators and licensees that court action is needed to tackle Westminster, following the trade's victory against Canterbury Council's policy earlier this year.

Westminster is accused of ignoring the basic principles of the Licensing Act, in particular by refusing applications to vary hours.

Interpub managing director Keith Knowles has called on trade associations and pubco bosses to contribute to a fighting fund to battle Westminster's policy in the courts.

'They need to unite and get a process behind them to take on Westminster, and others that are not sticking to the law,' Knowles said.

Estimates for the cost of obtaining a judicial review against Westminster vary from around £30,000 to £50,000.

Paul Wigham, chief executive of the Bar Group, said he would be prepared to contribute funds for a judicial review. He suggested that operators pay for the legal bill relative to the number of sites they operate.

'I would like to see Westminster in a judicial review because they think they are a law unto themselves,' said Wigham.

Chris Compton, managing director of CCT Group, also backed the call for legal action but said the industry was too fragmented to unite behind a single course of action.

CCT's Lemon Tree bar near Charing Cross was refused a bid to extend its licence until midnight. 'I wouldn't mind throw- ing a few quid in to help,' said Compton.

Brian Hebblethwaite, Enter-prise Inns tenant of the Nell of Old Drury in Covent Garden has decided to launch an appeal against Westminster's ruling at his pub. He was refused an extra hour's trade between Monday and Saturday.

'I was going to hang around and wait for the big boys (trade bodies and big pub operators) to get on the case,' he said.

British Beer & Pub Association chief executive Rob Hayward expressed concern about Westminster City Council's position in a recent meeting with licensing minister James Purnell.

BBPA director of communications Mark Hastings said it would be prepared to challenge the council's rulings on a case-by-case basis rather than seek a judicial review.

l Punch to fight council rejections - p11

l Head to Head: the trade takes on Westminster - p26-27