Councillors oppose 24-hour drinking

---

endorsing a new draft licensing policy that could outlaw 24 hour drinking

Councillors have endorsed a new draft licensing policy that could outlaw 24 hour drinking at pubs, bars and nightclubs in Putney & Wandsworth.

The draft policy, which is now subject to widespread public consultation, has been drawn up in response to the Government's new Licensing Act, which will permit drinking round the clock when it comes into effect in October 2005.

Councillors on the general purposes committee believe that allowing bars and pubs to stay open all day and all night is inappropriate in a largely residential borough like Wandsworth.

But residents and businesses are now being asked to have their say on whether they agree with this view or whether they think the council should permit more relaxed opening hours for pubs, clubs and bars. Public consultation on the issue will continue until November 5 and the views of local people will help determine the final policy.

There are already 883 premises in the borough that hold a liquor licence and nearly all are situated either adjacent to or very close to residential properties. This includes 560 pubs, bars, restaurants and social clubs, nightclubs and discos.

Wandsworth's population of just over 269,000 gives it a residential density of 76 people per hectare - making it the tenth most densely populated borough in England and Wales.

Many complaints received by the council relate to the noise generated by people leaving licensed premises, especially late at night or in the early hours of the morning when ambient noise levels are lower. Whilst noise from within licensed premises can be controlled by the owners, they cannot control noise disturbance in the street, and therefore, the only effective remedy is to limit opening hours.

Many pubs and bars are already permitted to sell alcohol beyond the traditional 11pm closing time. More than 100 are permitted to serve drinks until midnight, while 41 others can until 2am.

Wandsworth's deputy leader Cllr Maurice Heaster said the council had a duty to take into account the interests of residents'.

Cllr Heaster added: "We do recognise that pubs, bars and clubs play a key role in the night-time economy, but this borough has a substantial residential population and it is our duty to make sure that the impact of these businesses do not impinge onto their neighbours.

"This is especially important in a borough like Wandsworth where there are many young families. What we must do is strike the right balance between assisting these businesses and the people who live in close proximity to them. The Government believes that preventing pubs and bars from staying open later just encourages binge drinking and all the associated public order problems that result from large numbers of people spilling out onto the streets at the same time.

"I have to say that we have seen no evidence of this sort of behaviour in this borough. What we have seen evidence of though is the noise disturbance caused by people leaving bars and nightclubs. Allowing them to stay open all night with people coming and going at all hours will mean that some of their neighbours might never get a decent night's sleep.

He urged local people to give their views to the council saying this would be the decisive factor in shaping policy.

The new Licensing Act transfers the powers to grant a liquor licence from magistrates to local authorities. When determining an application, councils must have regard to the prevention of crime and disorder; public safety; the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm.

August 19, 2004