The number of licence applications during the past year has been at the same level as in the previous year. During the last 12-month period the CGCA has commented on 35 applications for a new licence, 24 of which were for a Justices Licence (liquor licence), 9 for a Public Entertainment Licence and 2 for a Night Café Licence. Many of the Justices' Licences made it necessary for a CGCA representative to attend the licence hearings at Marylebone and Horseferry Road Magistrates' Courts. The Courts attach very little weight to written objections, making it essential that we go to Court and give evidence under oath.

The hearings for Music & Dancing and Night Café Licences are heard at Camden or Marylebone Town Halls, where the procedure is less formal and more relaxed, particularly at Camden Town Hall. At these hearings local Councillors determine whether to grant a licence or not.

During the past year, we have had to attend one appeal hearing, whilst more are due in the current year. We continued to receive advance notice of applications from both Licensing Districts and from both local Councils and we continued to inform nearby occupiers of licence applications that might have an adverse impact on our collective quality of life by means of door-to-door leaflet drops and posters.

Over the years, the CGCA has learnt that each licence objection requires a large amount of work and effort in order to stand a chance of success. Once objections have been lodged, the process of liasing with nearby occupiers, the applicant, his solicitor and the Court or the Council becomes extremely time- consuming, both in terms of writing letters and in telephone conversations. The CGCA has met with a number of applicants before the hearing and in some cases has managed to negotiate substantial conditions or undertakings, designed to reduce or overcome the negative effect on residents' quality of life.

There is no doubt that the CGCA's policy of opposing potentially harmful applications has paid off - the number of new licences and extension applied for in the Covent Garden area has dropped compared to previous years whilst licence applications have been flooding in in other parts of Central London. Perhaps would-be licensees are getting the message that a new licence is by no means guaranteed or that it could take a very long time to obtain - this will have sent them to other parts of the West End, but at least away from Covent Garden.

The CGCA is most certainly not opposed to existing licensees who try hard to be good neighbours to our 6,000 residents. It is the small number of licensed premises that break the law and do not control their patrons. The cumulative effect of the sheer number of licences has now become a serious problem in the area. We have also worked hard to be positive and more strategic. We have commented on consultation documents from the Cabinet Office and the Home Office and have played an active role in the Westminster Community & Police Licensing Working Group, which is due to publish its findings and recommendations in the form of a report during the second half of 1998.

In the coming year we will continue with observations in and outside licensed premises and we will also be producing video evidence in those cases where serious problems and anti-social behaviour occur. Any suggestions for likely premises may, of course, be sent to the CGCA, but the chances that the establishment is already on our 'video list' are considerable.

 

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