Council chiefs consider plan to limit pub and off-licence numbers
8:31am Thursday 23rd February 2012 in News By Steven Thompson
A BAN on new off-licences and pubs in Bolton’s problem streets is being considered by council chiefs.
Deane, Bolton town centre and Farnworth town centre are among the areas where the number of licensed premises could be limited.
The issue was raised earlier this month after the council’s licensing committee was unable to act on an application for an off-licence in Deane Road.
Cllr David Wilkinson, who sits on Bolton’s Licensing Committee, said: “In certain locations, it will give the responsible authorities, such as the police, another tool in their locker, to deal with those issues where you have got lots of licensed premises.
“Where you have a number of off-licences in a small area and there are issues with anti-social behaviour, then another licence doesn’t help.”
Police initially objected to the application, by European and General Food, in Deane Road, because of the number of licensed premises already in the area.
Officers feared it would lead to anti-social behaviour and underage drinking because there were 20 off-licences in Deane Road, and three on nearby roads, which they said was too many close to Bolton College and Bolton Sixth Form College.
But Bolton Council’s licensing committee was forced to grant the application.
Cllr Wilkinson has asked council chiefs to investigate introducing a cumulative effect policy to restrict the number of off-licences.
Council chief executive Sean Harriss has agreed to look at the issue.
Cllr Wilkinson said: “There were more than a dozen places within the space of a few yards, but because there is no cumulative policy in place, that argument, that one more licence adds to the problem, can’t be pursued.
“Our hands are tied, in effect. It can be very difficult to refuse applications, as things stand.”
Police have welcomed the move.
Sgt Rob Knight, of GMP’s licensing department, said: “Where there is a history of anti-social behaviour in an area over a long period of time, we will look at changing the policy.
“Currently, it is not enough to say there is already problems in the area. A change in the policy would be a great help to police.”
Cllr Wilkinson said there were dozens of hotspots around Bolton where the new policy would apply.
Manchester has also introduced a similar policy.
