Licensing plan an 'attack on natural justice'

A group of influential pub industry leaders has launched a stinging attack on the Government's new licensing proposals, labeling the new initiatives "an attack on natural justice".

The sector veterans were speaking at a leader's debate at yesterday's Morning Advertiser and M&C Report UK Pub Retail Summit, which was held at the Bloomsbury Hotel in London.

The Government is currently planning on introducing a law that makes public health a licensing objective, imposing a late night levy and allowing health bodies to be a responsible authority in the system.

The mooted initiatives have faced a barrage of criticism from the industry for adding another layer of unwanted legislation on the beleaguered trade, and the new coalition government has also faced criticism over the shortened six-week consultation period.

Yesterday, Toby Smith, chief executive of Town & City Pubs, labeled the proposed changes as "frightening".

He told delegates: "The licensing legislation that is coming our way is terrifying. If that does go through unchecked it will do more damage than the smoking ban.

"The sheer notion that somebody who lives in Berwick Upon Tweed can object to your license in Cardiff is completely irrational and because of that we need to find a way to make a lot of noise about it."

He was supported by Steve Richards, chief executive if Novus Leisure, the late night operator behind Tiger Tiger.

He said: "It's so surreal and there is this term called natural justice, which is about people being allowed to do normal business and this [legislation] is so against this when you take it down to its legalistic basis.

"It's very strange and an attack on natural justice."

Smith argued that one way to tackle the issue with the government would be to raise the issue of jobs.

He said: "The actions that are taken in the pub industry will cost jobs."