London,
01
August
2010
|
23:00
Europe/London

Have your say on how licensed premises are managed in Hackney

Consultation: from 2 August until 25 October

Residents and businesses are invited to have their say on the way licensed premises are managed in Hackney.

The Council is consulting on a revised Licensing Policy, which sets out clear guidelines for how licenced businesses will help the Council and Police to drive down anti-social behaviour, public disorder, noise nuisance and crime that is related to licensed premises.

Amongst proposed measures to tighten up the way licensed premises are managed in Hackney, is the extension of the boundaries of the successful SPA (Special Policy Area) in Shoreditch and the introduction of two new SPAs in the busy town centre areas of Dalston and Stoke Newington.

SPAs can be introduced in areas where there is a high concentration of licensed premises. Under a SPA, businesses that apply for a new licence must prove that they will not make problems in the area worse. They must demonstrate the practical ways they will work to help create safe, lively town centres where the needs of businesses are balanced with the needs of residents and visitors, so everyone can enjoy a better quality of life.

For example, some pubs in Shoreditch were required, as part of their licence agreements under the SPA, to use plastic glasses in outside areas; keep doors closed during live music performances; or add seated areas to help slow down the pace of drinking. Since Shoreditch’s SPA began operating in 2005, the area has seen a 20% reduction in alcohol related crime.

Cllr Sophie Linden, Cabinet member for Crime, Sustainability, and Customer Services said: “We want to hear from residents about our proposals for managing pubs and bars in Hackney’s lively town centres. We have looked at practical ways of working to ensure that we get the balance right, so that businesses thrive and people can keep coming to Hackney for a great night out without disturbing residents or spoiling their quality of life.

"The Shoreditch SPA has successfully helped drive down alcohol related crime, We believe that Dalston and Stoke Newington now need to be within a SPA."

How you can have your say

Download a copy of the Council’s draft revised Policy from our website at www.hackney.gov.uk/licensing or call or email the Licensing Team on 020 8356 4931 for more information licensing@hackney.gov.uk

The Council is also running consultation drop in sessions in September.
Local residents and businesses are invited to come along, ask questions and find out more about any aspect of the consultation.

· 6 to 10 September from 10am to 4pm
Hackney Service Centre
1 Hillman Street, E8 1DY

· 16 September 4pm to 8 pm
CLR James Library
24-30 Dalston Lane, E8 3AZ

·5 October from 4pm to 8pm
Shoreditch Town Hall
380 Old Street, EC1V 9LT

· 14 October from 2pm to 8pm
Stoke Newington Library
184 Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 0JS