Pubs face increasing threat of licence review

Pubs are continuing to expand their trading offers — but face an increasing threat of licence reviews and revocations.

These are key findings from new data from the Office of National Statistics — which also reported a 19% rise in 24-hour licences at pubs and clubs in one year.

The data is based on responses from every council across England and Wales. It reports a 4% rise in the number of premises with regulated entertainment in their licence in the year to March 2009 (from 113,500 to 117,800).

There was a 4% rise in licences that allow recorded music. And despite concerns that the Licensing Act makes it harder to host live music, there was a 5% rise in venues with a provision allowing this in their licence.

There were 81,100 licences for late night refreshment in force in the year to March 2009, a 5% rise on the previous 12 months (77,100). Overall 7,473 applications were lodged to vary premises licences - 94% were granted.

But there were also 1,125 licence reviews in the period, up from 1,000 on the previous year. In almost one in 10 cases (120) the designated premises supervisor was removed.

And of those licences reviewed, 150 were revoked and 170 suspended.

Around 190 cases resulted in operating hours being modified and other conditions were added at 740 sites.

For the first time, the figures break down which responsible authority instigated a licence review. In 54% of cases, it was the police, followed by trading standards (20%), environmental health officers (13%), residents (10%) and others (3%).

The figures show 900 pubs, bars and clubs have 24-hour licences - up from 700 in one year.

Licensing Minister Gerry Sutcliffe was "encouraged" that "more licensees are widening their customer appeal by putting on live music, serving hot food late at night or making use of flexible licensing hours".

"I am pleased to see that the tough enforcement powers that currently exist within the Licensing Act are being used."