Tories to 'tear up' pub licensing regime
The Tories have vowed to "tear up the lax licensing regime" and force late-night pubs to pay more for a licence.
Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Grayling said that his Government would introduce harsh new rules to empower local residents and councils to act against pubs and clubs.
"No one thinks that the Government's 24-hour drinking regime has led to the creation of a 'continental café culture'," he said.
"We're not talking about stopping people enjoying a few drinks in the pub. But things have gone far too far.
"Our town centres on a Friday and Saturday night can be battle zones for our police."
He added: "Right now virtually anyone can get a licence to sell alcohol. We even have all night takeaways selling more drink to people as they stagger home from the pub.
"We will change that. Local councils will have the power to stop town centres being taken over by pubs, clubs and off-licences.
"We'll give communities a right of veto over new licences in their area. There'll also be tough new rules for existing licensed premises.
"Councils will be able to restrict opening hours. There'll be strict penalties for pubs and off-licences that break the rules.
"Much bigger fines if they sell to under age drinkers. If they do it again, we'll close them for a few days as a penalty.
"And if it still happens, we'll strip them of their licence permanently.
"There's also the huge cost of policing areas that are already dominated by pubs and clubs and off-licences.
"Under a Conservative Government late night problem premises will pay more for their licence."
Grayling did also promise to ban supermarkets from selling alcohol below cost and increase tax on high strength products while lowering it on others.
"Then there are supermarkets which boost the sales of other products by selling alcohol below cost price. That also fuels Britain's binge drinking culture. So we will ban them from doing so."
He added: "I know some of those in the drinks industry will complain about the impact of these changes.
"But I think there are times when it's right to put the interests of communities ahead of the interests of business."
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