Counting all the numbers

There is always a problem when a local pubwatch or other group agrees to a "voluntary" limit with the police. I refer to the recently-reported idea of limiting the number of smokers who may gather outside premises, to avoid congestion.

Apart from the fact that there is likely to be a rapid turnover of customers in this area, an agreed limit has a habit of becoming an enforced limit, setting yet another responsibility for the hard-pressed licensee and his staff.

I note that a number of innocent licence-holders at transition tried to be helpful on their forms by setting down ways in which they hoped to meet the licensing objectives. These aspirations were promptly turned into conditions on the licence. The same could happen with smoking limits or areas.

Gradually, the designated premises supervisor is being overwhelmed with supervisory responsibilities. He will be rushing from the job of counting how many coins there are on the poker table, to ensuring that the youngster racking up three cherries is 18 to clicker-counting the group of guys who have just popped outside for a fag.

All this, and he has to watch the staff at the cash register as well!

Regulations for the conduct of licensed premises are meant to be reasonable and proportionate, according to the Government.

What they seem to be blissfully unaware of is the cumulative effect of all their well-meaning controls. No one can be in three places at once, or be expected to comply with arbitrary limits if they are not permanently stationed in one place.

The problem is that dismantling this regime of supervision and control is virtually impossible, because it has been assembled in a piecemeal way by various departments, each of which thinks that they are doing a good job. They should come and try running the modern pub, to see what it is really like!