Hartlepool bars shun early closure

A police bid to get nightclubs in one north-east nightspot to revert to 2am closing failed after operators refused to comply.

Officers approached licensees in the Church Road area of Hartlepool to ask if they thought it was a good idea that late-night bars cease trading at 2am — a number have 4am licences.

A follow-up letter to licensees, seen by the Morning Advertiser, said the night-time economy was "having a negative impact on the quality of life" for people.

It labelled the situation "untenable for all" and said ending sales at 2am, and closing at 2.30am, would "tackle many of the issues".

Hartlepool Licensees Association chairman Richard Sewell said: "Everybody, even those with later licences, told police they thought it was better in times gone by when licensing laws finished at 2am and pubs closed at 11pm. They didn't say they wished to close at that time now."

The scheme didn't work because the bars with late licences refused to take part, fearing the impact on their businesses.

Sewell added: "Licensees tend to nod and agree when confronted by the local inspector on a one-to-one, and say it's a wonderful idea, without looking at the situation."

There were particular concerns about the impact on the employment of doorstaff, who in some cases didn't start work until midnight.

Sewell said the phenomena of pre-loading has meant the Church road area is "very, very quiet" until midnight, which wasn't the case when clubs closed at 2am.

Sewell believed this could be a taste of things to come if councils get the proposed new powers to restrict late opening.

The Morning Advertiser​ asked Hartlepool Police for a comment, but received no reply at the time of going to press.