Drink licence curbs on city centre mulled

RESIDENTS and businesses are being asked their view on moves which could limit the number of new bars and clubs in Liverpool city centre.

The City Council’s Licensing and Gambling Committee has started consultation on adopting a“cumulative impact policy” for the city centre as a whole or, alternatively, for the Ropewalks and/or Cavern Quarter areas.

This policy can be implemented if there is proof that licensed premises concentrated in an area are contributing to a negative impact on crime and disorder, public safety, public nuisance or protection of children from harm.

If it is adopted it would mean that new applications for licences would be refused if representations were made by the police, other emergency services, councillors, residents or businesses. Only where there were no objections would the licence be automatically granted.

There are already similar cumulative impact policies in the Lark Lane and Allerton Road areas, longstanding residential areas where bars have encroached on the character of the area. However this proposal comes in an area of the city where domestic dwellings were largely unknown until 10 years ago.

It follows the case of the Blue Angel in Seel Street, in 2008, which had its music licence revoked after complaints of noise from nearby residents, sparking a which-came-first-the-nightclub-or-the-apartment-dweller? debate. 

Applicants for new licences or variations of existing licences would have to demonstrate that they would not add to problems in the area.

Councillor Christine Banks, chair of the committee,  said: “It is important that we get the views of people who live and work in the city centre before any changes to this policy are introduced.

“We want them to let us know whether they think this is necessary to ensure that the city centre is a safe place to visit. While the police have pointed to hot spots for disorder it is important to remember that Liverpool is still a safe city in comparison with most other major conurbations with a 28 per cent drop in assaults over the last four years.

“We have gained the Purple Flag award for the city centre and we want to do all we can to maintain that status.”

The options being considered is for a cumulative impact policy to extend to the area bounded by Hardman Street, Leece Street, Berry Street, Duke Street, Hanover Street, Canning Place, The Strand, Water Street, Dale Street, William Brown Street, Lime Street and Renshaw Street or  in the Ropewalks and/or Cavern Quarter areas.

The consultation with residents involves 200 door to door interviews and a series of focus groups.  City centre residents can also take part online until 27 June or by phoning 0800 073 0348.

Other stakeholders include business owners, licensees and other interested parties who will be consulted through a postal survey, focus groups and telephone interviews which will take place throughout June.