Residents expect councillors to be able to limit the spread of late-night (or early- morning) off licences in their areas; but councillors are frustrated by the limited powers they have.
Local residents – over 40 of them – whom I represent in and around Highbury Road, in Bulwell Forest Ward, contacted me before Christmas about one such case.
Some assisted me by appearing at the hearing, putting their views in a clear manner that a late-night licence until 2am would not be good for the area, nor would an opening time of 6am.
I was told lots of stories about urination, and worse, outside a block of flats; intimidating behaviour towards older people simply walking past; and real concern for those with alcohol problems in the area.
Our local experience showed up the inadequacy of the law. Could we prove that these incidents were caused by customers of the particular shop? Had the shop been approached?
It was even suggested in the run-up to the hearing that I was not in a position to judge as I had never been in the shop (I don't know how they would know this).
Perhaps incidents cannot be proven, beyond reasonable doubt, to emanate from one premise; but an overall increase in such late-night activity is so clearly disruptive to a neighbourhood. However, licensing legislation does not allow these factors to be taken into account.
Several residents genuinely feared that longer hours at one shop would lead to similar arrangements along the same road, with at least four other off-licences in walking distance.
Residents were not against there being some late-night or early-morning outlets, and quoted the large supermarkets as suitable, as they have larger premises away from residential premises (hence less domestic disturbance), and also have overt security and back-up arrangements.
Local people found the licensing regime a bitter blow after many years of work to cut down anti-social behaviour; they felt powerless against such a permissive regime and were genuinely shocked that their councillors shared their powerlessness.
I believe that licensing policy could and should be set at a local level, and that the nature of an area should make a significant difference to what is allowed. My experience showed that I am not alone in that view.
