Proposal for "controversial changes" to licensing policy slammed

The council is currently consulting and updating policies, and The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers questions “removing the presumption in favour of grant or a pub licence up to midnight in a cumulative impact zone”.

Cumulative Impact is defined as the potential impact upon the promotion of the licensing objectives of a significant number of licensed premises concentrated in one area.

Brighton’s licensing authority has determined that the concentration of licensed premises in the city centre is causing problems of crime and disorder and public nuisance, and therefore an approach to ‘Cumulative Impact’ is necessary.

The ALMR also opposes the addition of a section on public health, despite it not being a licensing objective.

The body will be responding on behalf of operators in the city to urge the Labour-led council to “tone down” proposals in favour of an emphasis on partnership with the licensed trade.

A spokesman for Brighton Council said: “It is important that local stakeholders, statutory consultees, residents and members of the public have their say and we are pleased that the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers is taking part in the consultation.

“All views expressed will be taken into account and published when the consultation period has finished.”

The ALMR has also recently written to Brighton Council to express our opposition to plans to extend “smokefree areas” potentially to include outdoor areas around licensed premises. The proposal is likely to be discussed at the 15 December meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

The full proposal can be viewed at http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/sites/brighton-hove.gov.uk/files/docforms/SoLP2015%20Changes%20Accepted%2025%2009%2015_0.pdf​