Pub chain loses High Court licensing battle

Managed operator JD Wetherspoon has lost its High Court challenge against Guildford Borough Council.

The company wanted the high court to overturn a decision by the local authority that effectively blocked its Lloyds No 1 pub, the Rodboro Buildings, gaining a three-hour extension.

Guildford Council blocked the extension after claiming in contravened its cumulative impact policy, Wetherspoon insisted the policy should apply only to new premises - the Rodboro Buildings venue was converted from an existing JD

Wetherspoon pub.

The high court has ruled that the council was entitled to take its cumulative impact policy into account.

Wetherspoon is taking comfort from a part of the judgement that insists, however, that there should be a presumption in favour of granting extended hours.

Company spokesman Eddie Gershon said: "95% of our pubs already have extended hours.​

The judgement applies purely to the Guildford pub and seven other in Westminster and Bromley where local authorities have similar policies. We take a lot of positives out of the judgement because it says there is a presumption that local authorities should grant longer hours."

However, a spokesman for Guildford Council said: "We are extremely pleased that the High Court has ruled that we applied our policy in the correct manner. This will have a positive impact on our community and will also support the efforts of other local authorities wishing to maintain law and order in their city centres."​

Your Comments​Westminster City Council spokesman via email 11/04/2006​"We are delighted that Guildford were successful today. ​

"The courts have shown repeatedly now that they are prepared to back Councils on licensing policy and cumulative stress areas and this sends out a powerful message to the licensed trade: local authorities will not roll over and let town centres become flooded with bars selling alcohol at all hours.

"We have three stress areas in Westminster and believe they have played a crucial role in keeping a lid on drunken crime".