BBPA chief plays down May's tough talk on licensing

Trade chief Brigid Simmonds has played down Theresa May's tough talk on licensing, arguing it goes against what Home Office officials are saying in private.

May told the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham yesterday that the coalition plans to "tear up Labour's disastrous Licensing Act".

"I was the Shadow Culture Secretary when they introduced 24-hour licensing, and I fought them every step of the way," she told delegates.

"It gives me no pleasure to be proved right about the consequences - but it gives me great satisfaction to have the chance to undo it."

However Simmonds told The Publican​: "That's not the feeling I'm getting out of talks with officials, they are beginning to listen a bit."

She added: "Ministers tend to make speeches that their party wants to hear."

Simmonds admitted however there were problems in town centres that needed dealing with.

But despite the government's controversial widespread proposals to deal with the issues, revealed last month, Simmonds said: "I feel a lot more comfortable then I did a month ago."

And discussions with ministers and officials were continuing, she added.

The industry has been lobbying hard over some of the more worrying aspects of the plans, including changes to the appeals process and hikes in licensing fees.

Yesterday May confirmed that as a result of the consultation on the proposals, the government would:

• "Give local people more control over pubs, clubs and other licensed venues"
• "Allow councils to charge more for late-night licences, so they can spend more on late-night policing"
• "Double the fine for under-age sales and shut down shops and bars that persistently sell alcohol to children"
• "Ban the below-cost sale of alcohol"