Purnell 'to consider' licensing amendments

Licensing minister James Purnell has reportedly told a councillor he will consider charging licensees for the extra costs associated with extended hours.

A London councillor has asked the Government to make pubs pay for longer opening hours and give town hall more of a say in applications.

Cllr Clyde Loakes, leader of Waltham Forest Council, wants more control over extended hours applications in his ward in Leytonstone.

Loakes put his case to the Government's licensing minister James Purnell who said he would consider the amendments to the act.

Loakes views were formed during a licensing row over Zulu's pub and club in Leytonstone High Road.

He apparently found some local residents felt too intimidated to testify against the application, and others did not want to object as they would have to declare it when selling their property.

Extended hours means extra costsLoakes also wants applicants to pay for the extra costs of longer opening hours, like street cleaning and dealing with noise nuisance.​

He told the Waltham Forest Guardian: "I'm delighted the minister will carefully consider the case for premises with longer opening hours to bear more of the cost of keeping their area clean and free of noise nuisance.​

"He listened to our concerns and has promised to work with us to ensure local licensing arrangements reflect our desire to build a cleaner, safer borough."

Other councils up and down the country are making similar noises about the limitations of the new Licensing Act.

A DCMS spokesman told the Morning Advertiser today: "We are currently undertaking a review of how the new licensing system has bedded in so far. ​

"As part of that we are working very closely with ten scrutiny councils who are advising us on their experiences so far.

"But our review isn't just restricted to those ten councils, we'd like to hear from anyone affected by the new laws and will consider their views."

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