Reading BC Licensing Consultation

Last week RBC launched a short consultation in respect of two key Policies:

• Renewal of the Statement of Local Licensing Policy

• Re-introduction of the Cumulative Impact Policy

Thames Valley Police have provided RBC statistics relating to the Abbey and Battle wards that geographically cover the town centre to justify that the Council should once again re-introduce a Cumulative Impact Policy. The policy is effectively a presumption of rebuttal to the grant of a Premises Licence AND against a variation of existing licences who wish to trade past midnight.

Whilst the report highlights that is the cumulative impact of so many venues in the town centre that demand on police resource of just one more vertical drinking establishment is simply too much. Whilst in law every application has to be considered on it's own merit the application is highly likely to be heard by the licensing Sub Committee at a hearing.

It is also proposed the the CIP footprint is extended to the Oxford Road effectively from the bridge over the IDR to West Reading Railway Station.

It is in your interest to scrutinise the statistical data that is in the report. You are advised to share this information with your Area Manager and Head of Licensing.

https://www.reading.gov.uk/business/licences/alcohol-and-entertainment-licences/consultation-reading-borough-councils-statement-of-licensing-policy-cumulative-impact-policy/

The consultation runs until 12th September 2023