Calls to limit pub numbers slammed

A recent survey from the Local Government Association revealed nearly 90% of council health bosses wanted the power to act on health-related evidence when considering licensing applications to ‘help curb the saturation of communities with pubs, clubs and off-licences’. Currently councils can only listen to, not act on, health evidence.

'Rejuvenate not regulate' ​

Steve Ball, founder and co-director of late-night bar operator Columbo Group, said: “Council’s should try to put their energy into rejuvenating areas rather than regulating them.”

Night Time Industries Association chairman and co-founder of the Old Truman Brewery Alan Miller said the move ‘demonised’ late-night venues.

“Licensing is already enormously restrictive and the last two years in Britain have seen increasing impositions from added security, CCTV and breathalysers to holding venues responsible for issues that occur down the street from them — something that doesn’t happen in any other industry. It’s worth noting that similar panics in Australia led to the massively problematic lockout laws, which have shut down much of Sydney’s vibrancy.

“Councils need to promote and support the lifeblood of their cities and communities. Not try and suffocate it even further.”

Councillors stressed that local authorities were not seeking to refuse every application, but felt a revamped Licensing Act would allow them to ‘take a more balanced view’, as well as save money at a time of funding pressures.A new bill proposing that licensing authorities be given the power to revoke a personal licence when someone is convicted of a relevant offence was introduced in parliament earlier this month.

Currently, only the courts have the power to suspend or revoke licenses.