January 2005

The new licencing laws that will shortly come into effect are likely to have a big impact on Bournemouth.

Britain's top policeman is against it and so is much of the nation, but Labour's plans to introduce round the clock drinking are about to become law.

The Licensing Act (2003) was supposed to hand over control of licensing to local councils, but in reality councils will have little say due to stringent guidelines operated by the Department of Culture, Media & Sport who will have primary responsibility for implementing and managing the new legislation.

The excessive consumption of alcohol causes over 33,000 deaths a year and contributes to 90% of public disorder offences, as Bournemouth knows only too well, making more and more residents reluctant to visit the town centre at night. Alcohol is cheaper now than when Labour came to power in 1997, and the impact binge drinking is having on our public services, in particular, the NHS, is at an all time high.

Introducing 24 hour licensing will only make matters worse for local residents, the police and for hospitals who are already overstretched. Where there is drink there are usually drugs. With the cost of cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy now cheaper than a pint of beer, this new law does little to help or protect local residents and will simply serve to fuel the night time economy and the very ugly British trait of binge drinking.

Conservatives believe that local councils should be free to decide whether a borough already has enough bars or pubs in a neighbourhood and should be free to take into account the proximity of existing licensed premises when considering applications for new licences. But this Act only relates to new licence applications and not to variations in existing licences; hence councils will find it difficult to stop an existing bar or club extending its opening hours.

As a seaside resort, Bournemouth relies heavily on tourism and the Act will serve to make the challenge of remaining a family resort all the tougher. Closer cooperation with bars and clubs and how they are managed, including stopping ‘all you can drink’ promotions is essential if the binge drinking culture is to be tackled successfully. Many residents already believe there are too many bars and clubs in Bournemouth. The Council's Planning Committee, often fearful of appeals, needs to heed local concerns and use its powers to the full - or it will be the residents who foot the bill in higher council taxes in order in meet the burden of the extra policing and hospital services required to deal with the consequences.