30 controversial ADZs in first year

There could be 30 controversial Alcohol Disorder Zones (ADZs) in operation in a year's time, a Labour peer has said.

During another debate on ADZs yesterday, Labour peer Lord Bassam of Brighton, confirmed that up to 30 ADZs could be set up within the first year despite massive opposition.

ADZs will allow councils and police to force licensed premises in a designated area to agree an action plan and pay a levy towards policing and street cleaning.

However, Bassam did confirm that supermarkets will also have to pay charges under the plans.

The plans for the ADZs are still amiss and bear all the signs of not having been thought through properly. They are impractical and grossly complicated​Viscount Bridgeman

"Some have asked whether supermarkets will be exempt from the charging mechanism,"​ he said.

"The short answer is no. If the availability of alcohol is one of the main reasons why people visit a supermarket during an ADZ service period, then it is right that it is liable to pay a charge."​

But, he added: "When calculating the charge for premises that are open only for a short amount of time during the ADZ periods, it is possible that they will receive a large reduction in their charge."​

Tory Viscount Bridgeman said he feared the power of supermarkets would mean they would escape all charges.

"Those bodies are very well advised and I am extremely concerned that they may escape the full rigour of the ADZs,"​ he said.

Irresponsible premises​

Liberal Democrat Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer withdrew her plea for the Government to withdraw its regulations and reconsider them after Bassam promised a review in a year's time.

"I do not know what the Merits Committee could say more strongly to make the Government rethink the regulations, which they have got wrong,"​ she said.

Bassam argued that the provisions under the Licensing Act are "insufficient"​ to force premises to act in a collective manner.

Far too many sell to under-18s and to people who are already drunk​Lord Bassam

While he said that there are many responsible pubs, clubs and supermarkets, he added: "Far too many sell to under-18s and to people who are already drunk. ​

"Far too many do not trade in a responsible way and, as a result of their 'it's not my problem' approach, they collectively make the spaces in some towns and cities unpleasant places to be in the evenings and at night."

Charges​

Baroness Miller also attacked the charge calculations, which will be determined by two indicators -rateable value as a proxy for capacity and the hours of opening during the ADZ service period.

"A big pub, perhaps with bedrooms and serving suppers, would have a high rateable value as big premises, but the amount of alcohol consumed and the amount of disorder to come from that pub might be minimal, compared to a smaller, rather 'shacky' type of nightclub, selling alcohol to kids already loaded up with vodka before they go in. It might be vodka purchased 20 miles away,"​ she said.

"I do not believe that this charging mechanism will be able to withstand all the appeals that will be brought as soon as the first ADZ is established."​

Grossly complicated​

Viscount Bridgeman added: "The plans for the ADZs are still amiss and bear all the signs of not having been thought through properly. They are impractical and grossly complicated."​

The regulations were approved by the House of Commons today.