Seven streets face further pub ban

Broad Street, Bilston Street, Lichfield Street, North Street, Pipers Row, Queen Street and Market Street will not be able to open up any more licensed premises under a controversial crackdown on yob behaviour.

West Midlands Police has asked the city council's licensing sub-committee to agree to the move at its meeting.

A three-month consultation is due to be launched in July with businesses in the areas affected by the move.

If it gets the go-ahead, the council will then reject any application from potential business owners to open up a new pub, bar, or nightclub in any of the seven streets.

A council report claims policing the city centre on Friday and Saturday nights now costs taxpayers £620,000 a year.

The report says: "There are significant volumes of violent crime and anti-social behaviour which appear to be directly linked to alcohol consumption, and it is a result of the large number of licensed premises close to each other.

"Peak times for anti-social behaviour and criminal damage offences correspond to the busiest times in the city centre, with people drinking in pubs and clubs."

Existing pubs and clubs that close will be able to re-open as long as the licence is still intact, with new restaurants approved as long as the council believe they will not contribute to anti-social behaviour.

The council will also have the powers to still consider each new pub, club and bar application on individual merits, but the presumption would be automatic refusal.

Broad Street has a history of murder, knife crime, rape and robberies.

Jim Laws, from the Wolverhampton branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, said: "It will be a concern if, for example, a shop in Broad Street is empty and someone wants to revamp the building into a pub or restaurant and bar, and is told 'No, you can't do it'.

"Many pubs are closing as it is."