24 HOUR DRINKING – COULD THIS BE THE FUTURE IN BERWICK?

Release date: 23-8-04
Ref: BBC/PR/L&D/16/04

Do you want to see 24 hour drinking in Berwick or how about more late night take-aways or maybe even a lap dancing club?

From 2005 these are issues that Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council will be deciding. The Licensing Act 2003 will bring together all alcohol, entertainment and the provision of late night refreshment licensing under the Council and will enable the Council to make decisions on issues like 24 hour drinking.

Each Local Authority has to adopt a Licensing Policy to help ensure all applications are carefully considered. Berwick has just published their Draft Licensing Policy.

Senior Licensing Officer at Berwick –upon-Tweed Borough Council David Wilson said:

“Although 24 hour drinking and lap dancing clubs may seem alarmist, these could be allowed by the Council under the new Licensing Act. It is therefore vital that we have a Licensing Policy which balances the interests of all and promotes the objectives of the Act of: The prevention of crime and disorder, Public safety, The prevention of public nuisance and The protection of children from harm.

“We would therefore like to hear from everyone who will be effected by the new legislation – licensees, local residents, shop owners, restaurateurs – in fact anyone who has an interest or would like to find out more about the draft policy,” he said.

The Draft Licensing Policy is available on the Council’s website www.berwickonline.org.uk and from the Council offices at Wallace Green. Comments on the policy can be forwarded to David Wilson, Senior Licensing Officer, Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council, Council Officers, Wallace Green, Berwick-upon-Tweed, TD15 1ED or e-mail dbw@berwick-upon-tweed.gov.uk. All comments must be received by the Council by Friday, 5 November.