Residents call for more power over licensing

Resident groups are calling for the government to make major changes to the new licensing regime to give them more power.

Among the demands from Open All Hours? (OAH) - a network of residents groups - is for local authorities to notify residents by post of any variations by pubs, a clearer definition of "in the vicinity" and a review of the Temporary Events Notices (TENs)procedure.

The demands came during a conference organised by the Open All Hours group at Westminster Council Hall in London.

Earlier Sir Simon Milton, leader of Westminster Council, accused pubcos of adopting a "bullying and arrogant attitude" to the licensing regime. "It's a massive cultural battle", he said.

He also urged residents to encourage their local councillors to experience for themselves the effects of extended hours.

"You have to get the leaders of your local authorities to come around at 2am to see for themselves what the noise levels are," he said.

"You have to use the local media and some of your local councillors to do something about it."

He finished on a chilling note for licensees in Westminster, by saying: "We will be just as determined in the future to ensure we get the best outcomes for residents in our communities."

Also speaking was shadow culture secretary Malcolm Moss who suggested that parts of the Act should be re-visited, even if it was "uncomfortable".

The conference came in the wake of a report by the Office of Deputy Prime Minister, which criticised the Department for Culture Media and Sport for its handling of the new licensing regime.