Speaking at the Westminster Social Policy Forum in London last week, Wilson told health professionals and representatives from the drinks sector: “If we are going to move forward in a constructive way we need to work together and focus on where we have a shared agenda.
“We believe very strongly that we need to see targeted interventions and not blanket measures, and it is very important that we focus on community partnerships. We are opposed to LNLs and EMROs, particularly where there doesn’t seem to be a clear health rationale.
“It does seem to be more often than not about raising money, and it is a tricky issue at a time of recession and spending cuts.
“We will continue to want every local authority to justify these measures, which will increase costs in an industry that is already heavily regulated.”
Wilson said the pub trade had already responded to a range of licensing and other regulations to make sure it is acting responsibly.
“There are a number of partnership schemes out there in local communities and we are trying to encourage those partnerships to work together to learn from each other,” he said.
Wilson highlighted the success of the Nottingham Business Improvement District (BID), which has helped manage the late-night economy.
His view was backed by the director of regulation and enforcement at Birmingham City Council, Jacqui Kennedy, who pointed out that the city prefers a partnership approach.
She said: “For Birmingham, we don’t need EMROS or a LNL, we have already got fantastic mechanisms in place. We have two BIDS, which are dependent on our night-time economy and they pay a lot of money into improving the environment.
“We work closely with the trade, Pubwatches, licensees, BBPA, the BII [British Institute of Innkeeping] and other bodies. We celebrate our good licensed premises and target our bad ones.”