Residents’ group calls for council to clampdown on alcohol sales

Concern over number of outlets allowed to sell booze

tory three-year review.

FormerMANERPchairBrian Gascoyne, who now represents the group on licensing matters, told the Peterborough Telegraph: “Our biggest problem is the enforcement which we think has been a bit weak. Those people who have SinceApril2013Peterborough gotlicenseshavenotnecessarCity CouncilhasadoptedaCuily abided by the rules. mulative Impact Policy for all “To get someone to do licensedpremisedintheCANsomething about it has bedo area which requires applicomemoreandmoredifficult. cants to demonstrate why It’s something we will be raistheir premises will not add ing. We want the Cumulative to existing problems, such as Impact Policy to remain. street drinking or youths con“If someone is in violation suming alcohol. of the Licensing Act in the ar

The policy has been supea they should be shut down ported by MANERP (Millfield and refused to be allowed to and New England Regenerasell alcohol. Sometimes they tion Partnership) which is change manager or licensee calling for it to be extended and are allowed to carry on. now that it is up for its statu- We think the council should

A call has been made for stricter enforcement of alcohol sales in Millfield and New England.

be stronger.”

Mr Gascoyne said because police are stretched and cannot make tackling alcoholfulled problems a priority, people have stopped making complaints.

He was also critical of the number of new off-licenses which have been allowed by the council to sell alcohol, although he insisted he had no problems with alcohol being sold in restaurants and pubs.

He added: “A lot of off-licences in the area sell to the under-age, they sell to people who are already intoxicated. Theyallowpeopletopurchase and drink outside their shops which also creates problems.

“Youjusthavetogothrough Lincoln Road at any time of day and night and the evidence is there. But those who don’t want to see it, won’t see it. It really is an issue and also has an impact on the NHS.”

APeterboroughCityCouncil spokeswoman said: “Since January 2016 there have only been three new premises licences relating to off-licences issued in the Millfield and New England area. While the Cumulative Impact Policy means that applications for new premises that are likely to add to the existing cumulative impact within the area will normally be refused, it does not provide us with additional enforcementpowers.

“The council has the ability to take enforcementaction where there is a clear and serious breach of the licensing objectives, however, any enforcement action involves a legal processandmustbeproportionate, reasonableandled by evidence.

“It is good practice for councils to offer advice on the need for improvement in the first instance. A graduated approach consisting of advice, warnings, and the use of action plans, is appropriate in the vast majority of cases.”

A consultation on the Cumulative Impact Policy runs until October 15.

Residents can email their views to lpc@peterborough. gov.uk or write to: Licensing, Peterborough City Council, Sand Martin House, Bittern Way, FlettonQuays, Peterborough, PE2 8TY.

More information can be found at https://www.peterborough. gov.uk/ business/ licences-and-permits/licensing-act.

Brian Gascoyne...concerns.