Council's pub charter branded "unnecessary"
4 December, 2008
Charter will force pubs to run Challenge 21 and join Pubwatch
A controversial bid to force pubs to sign a licensees’ agreement – which includes making sure customers know it is illegal to urinate in the street – have been branded “unnecessary”.
Islington Council is currently consulting on a draft Clerkenwell Licensees’ Charter which all pubs are being asked to sign.
The case mirrors that of a similar situation in Bexley earlier this year when the council asked pubs to sign an Acceptable Behaviour Contract.
The latest charter will force licensees to run a Challenge 21 scheme and become paid-up members of the Clerkenwell Pubwatch – both of which are voluntary.
Other standards to be met by licensees include “being a good neighbour”, actively discouraging the use of illegal minicabs and informing customers that street urination is an offence.
Martin Rawlings, the British Beer & Pub Association’s director of pub & leisure, said: “This charter goes too far and is not necessary. If the council wants to work with licensees we have absolutely no problem with that, but we don’t need to sign a contract.
Scott Plowmer, licensee of the Compton Arms, Islington, said: “I have been here for seven years and would like to think I can run a decent business without this extra paperwork.”
Cllr Terry Stacy, Islington Council's executive member for public protection, said: “People are entitled to a good night out, but not at the expense of local residents.
“The charter invites licensees to help play their part in making sure nightlife in Clerkenwell doesn't get out of hand. We've had a positive response from most licensees, who seem happy to get involved.”
Readers' comments
Please watch BBC2 Money Programme on FRiday 12th December at 7pm. About pubs struggling to survive. Alan Peel
Here in Northamptonshire, it is a part of a new licencees licence to join the relevant local Pubwatch scheme. Yes it is voluntary but the benefits are that responsible licencees can support each other in keeping the minority of irresponsible drinkers out of pubs. This surely helps everybody by improving the image that pubs have as trouble spots. The downside is that the pubs that don't join the scheme then get all the undesirables, however the police then know where to target their resources! Both Pubwatch and Prove it schemes appear to me to be about forming responsible partnerships with local councils, police and our local communities, all of whom benefit from keeping problems out of our local areas. A spin off is that we can change the image that a few pubs, who keep making the news for the wrong reasons, have given us all!
here in jolly blackpool we are challenge 25 and a few off licences are challenge 30 and as part of your licecnces you have to sign up to pubwatch
The council says that most are happy to take part, but im sure it is more a fact that they go along with it out of fear of reprisals and victimisation by the council
As the chairman of The Gosport Pub and Clubwatch, my understanding is that Pubwatch is a private members association. I don't see how a local authority can force it to take members. Gosport Borough Council tried to do this to us and we told them where to go. There are several pubs in my watch area that myself and the committee know will not obey our rules of membership and we have therefore refused them membership. The Licensing Act was introduced to take away blanket conditions and tailor make conditions for individual premises. Here we have yet another authority trying to re-write the rule book, and therefore they must be stopped. Bring back the magistrates !!!
I find the views of the local councillor very interesting. I wonder how many of his voters have been asked to 'sign up' to a scheme that will ensure that that their behaviour is acceptable when they go for their night out. p.s. I am not a member of the trade, I am a licensing officer
Pissing on the street. Tut Tut should we all be taken home no is that the idea