Tough licensing laws extended in Wolverhampton

Tough rules to curb the number of pubs and off-licences opening in Wolverhampton are to be extended.

The move comes after a restricted licensing zone in Wolverhampton city centre, introduced in November 2009, was hailed a success.

Bosses want to reduce alcohol-related crime and nuisance behaviour in the city.

The original project was limited to seven street in the city centre.

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As part of the Wolverhampton Alcohol Strategy, it meant that businesses on those streets that applied for alcohol licences from the council had to show that the sale of alcohol would not add to crime and public nuisance.

However as part of the project, it was presumed that all applications from clubs, pubs and bars would be automatically refused.

Those with existing licences would have to do the same if they applied to make any changes to their licence.

While the exact areas for the expansion of the programme have not been decided, it is likely Bilston, Wednesfield, Dudley Road and the Avion Centre will be under the new rules.

When the plan was introduced five years ago it came under heavy criticism and was described as "a disaster for the city" by the Campaign for Real Ale, which lodged a formal objection to the plan.

They believed the city centre depended on a quality range of drinking establishments, and to limit the number would be a backward step.

However, figures from the council show the vast majority of applications made since November 2009 were given the go-ahead, with 26 new applications made and four of these refused.

A further 27 applications were made to alter an existing licence, such as changing opening hours, and three of these were declined.

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The committee could require applicants take further steps, such as having security outside their bar or CCTV installed in the building, before granting new or varied licences.

West Midlands Police has also seen a reduction in violent crime and anti-social behaviour in the area, with just 27 notices issued so far this year for alcohol-related anti-social behaviour.

The zone, known as a "CIP" - cumulative impact policy - covers seven streets in the city: Broad Street, Bilston Street, Lichfield Street, North Street, Pipers Row, Queen Street and Market Street.

Council spokesman Paul Brown said the policy had been effective in improving the quality of applications received, and allowing the authority to refuse applications that would potentially cause crime and nuisance.

As part of a planned review the licensing committee is considering extending the CIP zones to Bilston, Wednesfield, Dudley Road and the Avion Centre. The latter two would only relate to off licences.

He said: "The exact areas have not yet been determined and a draft policy will be presented to the licensing committee in November, prior to a public consultation on the proposals."