ADZ discount drops to 90 per cent

More changes have been made to the regulations covering controversial Alcohol Disorder Zones (ADZs).

In the latest version of the regulations, licensees in an ADZ will now only be offered a discount of "up to 90 per cent" if they are part of an accreditation or award scheme which "seeks to reduce alcohol related offending".

In the previous version, which were withdrawn, pubs and bars were being offered a 100 per cent discount if a member of Best Bar None or other "similar recognised accreditation schemes".

The removal of a specific reference to Best Bar None may have been helped by objections raised by the British Beer & Pub Association.

Supermarkets and corner shops will still avoid paying the charges, which could be up to £100 per week, because the regulations exclude premises where alcohol is "not the main reason, or one of the main reasons why individuals enter or remain on the premises".

Other changes include the scrapping of a "bespoke" appeal process if a premises refuses to pay the charges.

The Home Office is maintaining that ADZs will be in force this month, but doubts have been raised by the BBPA.

ADZs will be implemented where there is a repeated nuisance to the public related to alcohol. However in the guidance to ADZs, they are referred to as a "last resort" and it calls for police to use powers instead under the Licensing Act if they are "clearly identifiable" badly run pubs and off-licences.

The trade is strongly opposed to ADZs, with many arguing that Business Improvement Districts are a fairer alternative.