Home Office 'looking carefully' at trade's licensing fears

The Home Office is "listening" and "looking carefully" at the industry's concerns over the licensing shake-up, according to the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).

The group met with Home Office officials yesterday, along with other bodies, to discuss the trade's concerns about the plans, which are due to be part of Bill expected to be tabled in Parliament next month, or early November.

"There is no doubt they are listening quite carefully to some of the concerns we've raised," BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds told The Publican.​

"Some of the issues we have raised, such as the changes to the appeals process have been listened to. We will continue to hold these discussions."

The Home Office is also proposing to increase licence fees. But Simmonds said she was keen for there to be a cap on fees. And she added: "I think there is some sympathy for that."

Simmonds said there was now a "broad consensus" around the areas of concern, which include giving police more power over licensing decisions.

Lawyers, councils, magistrates and the health community had all raised concerns about areas of the proposals, she said.

But Simmonds sounded a note of caution. "We have to be realistic around some of the changes, particularly as the coalition is very keen on the ideas around localism."

Yesterday's meeting was the result of a letter sent by the BBPA to ministers, across a host of government departments, outlining its fears.

Simmonds added: "The next critical phase will be providing companies and licenses with the lobby materials they need to take a coordinated and concerted message to all MPs as they return to Westminster following the conference season."

The BBPA is also due to have a series of "key" meetings at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham next week.