Councils warned about ADZ problems

A trade group is sending a major warning shot to councils across England and Wales to deter them from using controversial alcohol disorder zones (ADZs).

Noctis, which represents late-night operators, is this week sending all councils a letter detailing six key points for them to consider before introducing an ADZ.

The letter argues that an ADZ will not "enhance the reputation of your locality" and are "highly bureaucratic, difficult to calculate and open to legal challenge".

It also highlights that alcohol-related problems can come from the off-trade, but supermarkets will be exempt from the charges if alcohol is not the main purpose for someone's visit.

It urges them to use existing powers under the Licensing Act to deal with problems.

Paul Smith, executive director of Noctis, said the letter was the "next line of defence" after the government had ignored the trade's advice on the 'polluter-pays' measures.

"We especially want to highlight to councils who derive money from tourism that not only will having an ADZ have a serious effect on whether people chose to come, it will also serve as a handy marketing tool for all of those councils which border the ADZ location, to come to them instead," he said.

"We argue strongly that at a time of economic downturn we need to be encouraging more people into our towns and cities, not fewer."

Councils are now able to adopt ADZs after the guidelines covering them were rubber stamped by Parliament earlier this month.