The licensed trade has welcomed the decision by the Licensing Committee of Blackpool NOT to invoke an EMRO (Early Morning Restriction Order) on a vibrant night-time district of the town. Should such an order have been approved, some 22 great licensed venues would have been forced to stop selling alcohol between the hours of 3.00 till 6.00am - with the subsequent loss of revenue, jobs and tourist enjoyment.
Perversely, whilst the selling of alcohol would have been banned, the venues could have continued with food, music and dancing. Just imagine the amount of alcoholic 'pre-loading' up to the hour of 3.00am!
This has been a mighty legal battle, with barristers galore no doubt earning a fortune during the process. The decision has also set somewhat of a precedent. If it had gone the other way, many other attempts across the UK to impose such restrictions would have ensued.
There is undoubtedly an issue in Blackpool and many other towns where significant levels of violent crime within town centres exist, and all parties concluded that "something must be done to address this". Curtailing hours however was not seen as the answer.
Evidence also suggested that a specific postcode within the Blackpool area provided most of the trouble makers and Stag and Hen parties were not the protagonists of most of the crime.
The Committee was not convinced that 'turning off the tap' at 3am (as was the phrase commonly used throughout the hearing) would have a positive impact on the prevention of crime and disorder. The Committee noted that one effect might be that a great number of individuals would be spilling out onto the streets at the same time, and this had the potential for increased levels of crime, disorder and nuisance. The Committee was of the view that there was also a real risk that patrons would 'hoard' drink in anticipation of any 3am terminal hour, and that this also mitigated the 'turning off of any tap' at 3am. Whether there was hoarding or an exodus at 3am, the Committee was of the view that both scenarios may have a negative impact on the licensing objectives, which include the Prevention of Crime and Disorder.
Having denied the EMRO here are some of their (very sensible) recommendations:
(1) That the Council supports the formation of a multi agency Night Time Economy Working Group, including but not limited to, the representatives of the Lancashire Constabulary, the Licensing Committee, the relevant Cabinet Members, the Heath Sector, Pubwatch, Trade Organisations and more general Tourist Organisations, and asks the Licensing Committee to meet at the earliest opportunity to formalise its membership.
(2) That subject to the agreement of (1) above, the Night Time Economy Working Group present its initial recommendations to the Licensing Committee within three months of its creation.
(3) That the Council requests the Chief Executive to write to the Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary requesting him to give urgent consideration to increasing the levels of policing in the night time economy, having regards to the Licensing Committee’s stated view that additional police officers deployed in strategic locations reduce crime and disorder within the night time economy. This letter should request the Chief Constable to report back to the Licensing Committee within 3 months.
So we are going to have all of the interested parties talking to each other, sharing problems and opportunities and agreeing a way forward to satisfy all, thereby seeking to create a safe environment for responsible people to enjoy a great night out, and not invoke more laws and regulations which allow the bad guys who caused the problem in the beginning to spoil it for the rest of us.
Wonders will never cease!
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