Public health added to licensing shake-up
The government is to overhaul alcohol licensing laws
Ewan Turney, 28/07/2010 09:17
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Residents and local authorities will be able to object to a licence if they believe it will or is having an adverse effect on public health under a major shake-up of the country’s licensing laws.
Higher licensing fees, a late night levy to pay for police, tougher restrictions on the use of temporary event notices and giving residents even more powers to object to licences will all also form part of the government’s plan to overhaul the licensing regime.
The proposals, which will form the agenda for a series of government roadshows to consult stakeholders on, go further than expected with the inclusion of a public health objective.
The government wants to remove the proximity rule for complaints over existing licences or a new application and allow residents and local authorities to object to a licence on the grounds of it having an adverse effect on public health.
Scotland already includes public health as one of its five licensing objectives.
Home Secretary Theresa May is set to outline the plans in a key speech on anti-social behaviour this morning but she has already said that the licensing regime has failed.
“The benefits promised by the 24-hour drinking cafe culture have failed to materialise and we have seen an increase in the number of alcohol-related incidents and drink-fuelled crime and disorder,” said May
“We know the majority of pubs and bars are well-run businesses but the government believes the system needs to be rebalanced in favour of local communities with tougher action to crack down on the small number of premises who cause problems.”
The coalition government announced it would overhaul licensing laws for England and Wales in May.
Ewan Turney is web editor of BigHospitality's sister title The Morning Advertiser.