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26/02/2010

MP holds public meeting to discuss late night licensing

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Roberta held a public meeting last night at Alington House in Durham to discuss licensing issues affecting the city.

 

In addition to local residents, the Police Licensing Sergeant, the Head of the Licensing Team at Durham County Council and the Chair of the Licensing Committee were also in attendance.

 

The aim of the meeting was to explore measures that could be taken to control the spread of late night licensing of clubs and pubs.


Roberta said,


"The focus of our meeting was not about closing down venues.  It was about how to prevent an uncontrolled spread of late licences throughout the city.  We need to have places where young people and others can enjoy a night out but we need to make sure that this is not at the expense of local residents who have a right to enjoy peace and quiet in their own homes."

  

The meeting asked the County Council to explore carrying out a new Cumulative Impact Assessment so that a proper assessment of cafes, pubs and clubs could be made and to adopt a blanket ban between 3am and 6am opening times if measures proposed by the government become law.

 

Roberta added further,

  

"I am not happy with the current proposed legislation for a blanket ban and I am going to consider asking the government if it will consider enabling local Councils to impose a blanket ban between 2am and 6am."

  

"I am however really pleased to note that the County Council intends to adopt the legislation bringing in new controls on the regulation of lap dancing clubs ASAP."  

 

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