ALMR looking to challenge Westminster Council

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) is calling for support in a bid to mount a legal challenge against Westminster City Council over its handling of the Licensing Act.

Nick Bish, chief executive of the ALMR, has sent a letter to licensing lawyers appealing for evidence that will help with its case.

The letter, seen by The Publican, says the ALMR is also considering approaching the Local Government Ombudsman to complain about Westminster's approach to the Act.

"The reason for approaching you is to ask whether you would be willing to help by contributing to this exercise with any anecdotes you may have," the letter reads.

"These may include cursory treatment at hearings, failure to adjourn despite the statutory notice of hearing not having been given, imposition of conditions where the variation has been refused, and so on."

However, Mr Bish warned that it was "hugely early days" for the action and he was waiting to see what response he gets from the lawyers.

"It's no secret that operators are hugely disconcerted at the way Westminster has handled the licensing transition," he said.

"But we want to hear lawyers express the problems in their own language."

Westminster City Council has been criticised for its hard-line approach to the new Act.

Last month Paul Wigan, chief executive of the Bar Group Ltd, accused the council of failing to give him the required 10 days notice of a hearing on the variation of his licence at the Bok Bar in London.

A spokesman for Westminster City Council said it was "absolutely furious" and would be prepared to fight the challenge.