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Moves to stem flow of booze
7/ 8/2008
In a bid to cut down on booze-fuelled crime and bad behaviour, the growing number of places selling alcohol in Aldershot face being curbed.
New licensing guidelines were provisionally approved by Rushmoor Council’s Cabinet last Tuesday.
The council has worked with the police to review its licensing policies, which will affect any new pubs, clubs and shops selling alcohol that want to set up in the area.
The cabinet was told that there was evidence that the concentration of pubs, clubs and off licences in Aldershot town centre was causing crime and disorder problems and it was hoped the proposed changes would help reduce those problems.
The new policy will mean that in certain areas of Aldershot, the council is likely to refuse any new applications for licensed premises.
The only way that applicants can be granted a licence is to prove that the premises would not contribute to anti-social behaviour in the area.
Coun Stephen Masterson, cabinet member for safety and regulation, said: “Our main priority is to make a safer Rushmoor for its residents.
“We already have more than 40 licensed premises in the Aldershot area and we need to consider the impact of having more. This new policy allows us to restrict future ones unless there are exceptional circumstances. We hope residents and town centre businesses will welcome and support our action.”
The council has highlighted areas in Aldershot – dubbed Impact Zones – that this new policy will affect.
These include sections of Grosvenor Road, High Street and Victoria Road, and the whole of Station Road, Union Street and Wellington Street.
The policy will be subject to public approval before it can be implemented.
Residents and landlords will have the chance to comment on the proposals before the policy is implemented later in the year.
New licensing guidelines were provisionally approved by Rushmoor Council’s Cabinet last Tuesday.
The council has worked with the police to review its licensing policies, which will affect any new pubs, clubs and shops selling alcohol that want to set up in the area.
The cabinet was told that there was evidence that the concentration of pubs, clubs and off licences in Aldershot town centre was causing crime and disorder problems and it was hoped the proposed changes would help reduce those problems.
The new policy will mean that in certain areas of Aldershot, the council is likely to refuse any new applications for licensed premises.
The only way that applicants can be granted a licence is to prove that the premises would not contribute to anti-social behaviour in the area.
Coun Stephen Masterson, cabinet member for safety and regulation, said: “Our main priority is to make a safer Rushmoor for its residents.
“We already have more than 40 licensed premises in the Aldershot area and we need to consider the impact of having more. This new policy allows us to restrict future ones unless there are exceptional circumstances. We hope residents and town centre businesses will welcome and support our action.”
The council has highlighted areas in Aldershot – dubbed Impact Zones – that this new policy will affect.
These include sections of Grosvenor Road, High Street and Victoria Road, and the whole of Station Road, Union Street and Wellington Street.
The policy will be subject to public approval before it can be implemented.
Residents and landlords will have the chance to comment on the proposals before the policy is implemented later in the year.