Fury over tougher licence restrictions

By John Harrington

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Local residents Antisocial behaviour License Councillor Brighton

Brighton: council is trying to reduce antisocial behaviour
Brighton: council is trying to reduce antisocial behaviour
Licensees and pub operators in Brighton have attacked the council's plan to extend the city's cumulative impact zone (CIZ) by almost two-thirds.

Licensees and pub operators in Brighton have attacked the council's plan to extend the city's cumulative impact zone (CIZ) by almost two-thirds.

The move to extend the CIZ, which places new restrictions on granting licences, "is a blunt instrument that does nothing to quell the concerns of local residents [and] may actually exacerbate problems", according to the Brighton & Hove Licensees Association (BHLA).

The council said it was considering the plan after complaints from residents and police about antisocial behaviour. Under the proposal, applications for pubs, clubs and off-licences in the area would be refused if an objection was received, unless the applicant could show exceptional circumstances to depart from the policy.

BHLA spokesman Nick Griffin, who runs Brighton-based multiple operator Pleisure Pub Company, has written to local councillors to express concerns about the proposal, which is to be put to consultation. Automatic rebuttal of applications in a CIZ means there's no distinction between good and bad operators, he said.

He also expressed "dismay" that the council was embarking on an expensive consultation on the plan when it had no money to donate to the Best Bar None pub and club accreditation scheme.

"Considering the imminent changes to the Licensing Act and the increased powers these will bring for local authorities and police alike, combined with the efforts of the licensed on-trade to work together, this seems ill-timed and an unnecessary expense."

Griffin added: "Blanket rebuttal policies, rather than promoting and developing responsible retailers, run the risk of stifling one of the key economic powerhouses of our city, damaging tourism, and creating business loss."

However, councillor Lizzie Deane, chair of Brighton & Hove City Council's Licensing Committee, said the move was about striking a balance between local residents and entertainment. She added: "We have listened to the concerns of local residents, who have made it very clear they have had enough of living with the effects of antisocial behaviour and noise since licensing hours were relaxed, and to the concerns of the police.

"At this stage it is still a proposal, the next move will be to consult with residents, businesses, ward councillors, and other interested parties to give everyone a chance to have their say."

Related topics Licensing law

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