BBPA calls on Hackney mayor to reconsider early pub closing policy
As reported by The Morning Advertiser, Hackney councillors voted unanimously that new venues must close at 11pm on weekdays and 12midnight on weekends, three years after the policy was first proposed.
Venue owners can apply for a licence extension if they can prove longer hours would not cause disruptions in the area. Existing licences will be unaffected.
A consultation by the East London council last year showed that 84% of residents surveyed opposed the new curfew measures.
In a letter sent to Glanville, the BBPA highlighted how the borough would change beyond recognition with the new policy and lead to new pub and hospitality businesses in the area struggling to provide a competitive offer.
The BBPA also reasserted the importance of pubs in providing work and career opportunities for young people in the capital, with London’s 3,800 pubs directly employing 67,000 people of which 34% are under the age of 25.
Discussing the new licensing rules in Hackney, BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds said: “There is considerable support for pubs in boroughs like Hackney, where local pubs are often at the heart of the community, providing a responsible place to drink while also contributing to the local economy.
“Even if the licensing hours for existing businesses in Hackney remain unchanged, local pubs will still be affected by the new licensing policy. It will sadly change the character of Hackney as less favorable trading conditions will mean fewer pubs and hospitality businesses open in the borough, making it a less vibrant and exciting place to visit and live in.”
According to figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Hackney was the only one of London’s 32 boroughs to see an increase in pub numbers since 2001, with the borough boasting 20 more pubs than 17 years ago.
