Call for unity to solve drink-related problems in London
Bar, pub and restaurant operators, property agents, local councillors and the police have all called for increased communication and partnership work to solve drink-related problems in central London.
Speaking at the Restaurant Property Advisors Society's (RPAS) Leisure in London: Is it out of control? forum, representatives from all the key groups agreed that more communication and a more balanced approach was needed going forward.
Julian Skeens, partner and head of Jeffrey Green Russell's licensing department, said: "Partnerships are key along with Westminster council's acceptance of that the Licensing Act 2003 has happened."
Alex Salussolia, managing director of Glendola Leisure, said: "There needs to be more communication between parties and a better understanding from Westminster council about what the licensing act means to businesses in the area."
Glenys Roberts, West End ward councillor, said: "I admit we are still learning to live with the Licensing Act, and how to enforce it and what conditions we need in place to improve it."
Speakers also called for a review of the transport infrastructure in central London.
David Coffer, chairman of Davis Coffer Lyons, said: "If we are talking about getting unruly behaviour off the streets then we need to give people the means to be able to get home in the early hours rather than standing around outside premises.
"There needs to be a better transport infrastructure in place not just in central London but for the whole of the capital."
Speakers also called for the setting up on an independent body to oversee planning and licensing applications in central London.
They wanted to see a more balanced and sensible approach to the way licenses and planning proposals were handled, especially in Westminster.
Salussolia said: "We do need an independent licensing and planning group. At the moment I don't think the two departments in Westminster talk to each other or understand the needs of businesses in the borough."
