Licensing Report

Licensing and late-night uses have become one of the most contentious local issues, not just in Covent Garden and Soho, but also in many parts of Camden and Westminster. Late-night license adversely affect residents and the environment generally, much more than most ordinary planning applications. Complaints about noise' disturbances and damage late at night continue to make up a large part of the CGCA's work.

The complexity of the licensing system and the fact that many hearings are held in a Court room, prevent many residents from objecting effectively. During the year, residents in Soho took matters further still. They sought and obtained leave for Judicial Review against Westminster City Council on issues surrounding late night uses, the way they are assessed and their impact. The outcome of the case is expected in September 2000.

The cumulative effect of the very dense concentration of bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants in Covent Garden is well known to both local Councils and to the Licensing Justices. In practice, they are restricted in refusing applications for new licences and in closing down existing premises. The long-awaited Government White Paper on 'Licensing' was published in April 2000 (available from the Stationery Office, or download it from www.homeoffice.gov.uk/ccpd). If you would like to make your views known to the Government, please get hold of a copy and write before the end of July.

As the Home Office must have realised when they wrote the 80-page paper, top marks should go to the 18th century artist William Hogarth for predicting the future of 'licensing'. His paintings accurately reflect life in central London in 2000: open drunkenness, all-night drinking and entertainment, under-age drinking, illegal street trading, robberies, muggings, anti-social behaviour, unauthorised development and street drinking are all displayed in detail.

During this year, the CGCA attended 6 liquor licensing hearings and 2 music and dance hearings and made written observations on many more. We met with representatives of other community groups, from Richmond to Spitalfields, and with members of the Westminster Amenity Societies Forum and the Camden Amenity Forum. We have met with Licensing Committees, Home Office officials and Councillors, visited bars, pubs, hotels, clubs and restaurants and have brought blatant breaches of the licensing laws to the attention of the authorities. We continue to be an active member of the Police Licensing Working Group and have attended the meetings of the Licensing Court Users Group.

The CGCA will continue to monitor licensing applications and provide information and help to any resident affected by licensed premises. Whilst many streets and alleyways in Covent Garden are transformed into 'alfresco' toilets and 'bear gardens' during the summer months, the Government's promised benefits of their 'tightening up' of licensing laws seems more-and-more remote.

John Bos

 

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