BBPA raises red tape fears

The British Beer & Pub Association has called for an alternative solution to UK government proposals for licensing law reform.

In its submission to the consultation on the plans, the BBPA expressed concern about the prospect of increased red tape and expense for licensees.

Key amendments currently proposed for the Licensing Act 2003 would see local authorities given stronger powers to remove licences from problem-causing premises, including those who repeatedly sell alcohol to children.

In addition, the maximum fine for selling alcohol to minors would increase to £20,000, while councils will be allowed to charge more for late night licences in order to pay for additional policing. The proposals would also see a ban on the sale of alcohol below cost price.

However, the BBPA argues that many of these measures would “seriously threaten the businesses of thousands of well-run pubs that form the heart of Britain’s hospitality and tourism industry.”

In place of these proposals, the BBPA has called for local licensing offices to be given responsibility for licence removal rather than local authorities, saying this would speed up the process and protect its independence.

The BBPA has also recommended an end to the obligation for local councils to conduct reviews of their licensing policies every three years. By restricting these reviews to situations where local people have raised real concerns, the BBPA suggests that the UK’s 300 local licensing authorities could save millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money.

While supporting plans to prevent below-cost selling, the BBPA has added the proviso that cost should not be set at a local level and asked for further consideration about how this step might be implemented in practice.

In its submission, the BBPA stressed the need for a shift in the balance of power between government and licensees, saying: “More needs to be done to promote effective partnership working at local level, improved management of public spaces, efficient enforcement, and tackle irresponsible and anti-social behaviour on the part of individuals.”

Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the BBPA, confirmed: "We are four-square behind the government in its objective to tackle binge-drinking and alcohol-related crime, which is bad for the country and bad for business.”

However, she added: “Some of the measures, while well-intentioned, will have the effect of imposing extra costs and regulations on well-run pubs while barely touching the real problem.

"Almost 70%, and rising, of alcohol consumed in the UK is bought from the off-trade, yet it is licensed premises that bear the brunt of these proposed changes.”

The closing date for submissions to the Rebalancing the Licensing Act consultation is Wednesday, 8 September. For further information, click here.

Gabriel Savage, 07.09.2010