Residents' rallying cry against extended hours.

A rallying cry was sounded for residents to get councillors and the local media on their side to halt late pub openings.

 This message came at a conference backed by campaign group 'Open All Hours?' at Westminster council offices today.

 Sir Simon Milton leader of Westminster City Council urged residents to invite their councillors to see the problems for themselves.

 "I think that it really does come down to getting the leadership of these councils to experience like I did what it is like for you the residents.

 Two in the morning​"You really do need to get some of those local political leaders to come round at two in the morning to see for themselves what the noise levels are."

  The trade is a juggernaut with vast sums of money to fight residents​Former health secretary Frank Dobson MP

 Milton called for residents to "use the local media" in the same way to get them onside.

 He also pointed the finger at the wider industry and questionned the way alcohol is marketed and advertised.

 Initial 'Open all Hours' recommendations​·​ Replace references to 'longer' with 'flexible'·​ More emphasis on preventing trouble·​ Consider public transport availability·​ Establish mediation ·​ Notify residents by post·​ Discourage repeat applications·​ Greater responsibility for customers entering and leaving·​ Include controls over off-licences·​ Collect evidence to prevent cumulative impact·​ Clear up definitions - vicinity, material variation·​ Emphasise distinction between opening/licensed hours·​ Slip rule to authorities beyond 28 days·​ Advise on reducing disorder·​ Ensure TENs can be objected

 His view was backed by the chairman of the Open All Hours? Matthew Bennett Soho resident and licensee.

 The meeting was addressing residents associations, councils and officers from the Department for Culture Media and Sport.

 Stop the war between pubs and residents​However, in a conciliatory tone Milton said he wants to stop the perceived war between pubs and residents.

 He added: "It's as if we are blaming global warming and climate change on petrol pump attendents."

 Also addressing the meeting was former health secretary and St Pancras MP Frank Dobson and Conservative licensing spokesman Malcolm Moss.

 Dobson attacked the Licensing Act guidance for being "tilted towards the booze selling applicants".

 He criticised the way every application was looked at on an individual basis and called the trade a "juggernaut with vast sums of money to fight residents".

 Dobson also said the act could be changed to give more power to residents.

 Conservative licensing spokesman Malcolm Moss blasted the Government for ignoring the views of residents and councils and called for powers to revisit licenses which had already been granted.

 He also called for a review of fees structure and said it was an 'oversight' that residents could not object to Temporary Events Notices (TENs).

 Open All Hours? is planning to submit its final recommendations in May.

 A copy of the draft submission was given to Mandy Stevens from the DCMS who is leading the Government's review of the Licensing Act guidance.

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