DEPARTMENT FOR
CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT News Release (133\2007) issued by The
Government News Network on 8 November 2007
The public and
police are using new powers to ask for reviews of licensed
premises, the vast majority of 24 hour licenses belong to hotels
which only serve to their guests and nearly 50,000 premises are
licensed to serve food after 11pm, according to new statistics
published today by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
The figures, based on returns from 86 per cent of local councils,
show that, as of 31 March 2007, there were 176,400 licensed
premises in England and Wales including 15,100 private members
clubs. Of those:
* 122,900 premises sell alcohol - the remainder being licensed
only to sell food after 11pm and / or put on entertainment;
- 27,900 of which are licensed to sell alcohol on the premises;
- 32,600 sell alcohol for consumption off the premises; and
- 62,400 are licensed for both on and off-sales.
* 5,100 premises have 24 hour licences, the bulk of which (65 per
cent) are hotel bars, 910 (18 per cent) are supermarkets and
stores, and 460 (9 per cent) are pubs, bars and nightclubs;
* fewer than 50,000 premises including kebab shops, fried chicken
outlets, restaurants and pubs are licensed to sell hot food after
11pm; and
* 81,300 premises are licensed to put on public entertainment
such as live music, dancing and theatre performances.
In addition, in the twelve months to March 2007, just over
100,000 temporary events and licensable activities were permitted
to take place.
New licensing laws, which came into force on 24 November 2005,
gave local people the opportunity to have a say in the local
licensing decisions that affect them. Local residents and police
can now, for example, object to a new licence application or raise
an objection about a nuisance bar at any time.
The statistics published today show that these new powers are
having an effect. During the 12 months to 31 March this year
(based on an 84 per cent response rate from councils) there had
been 670 completed reviews. Of those:
* 90 licences were revoked;
* 91 licences were suspended for up to three months;
* 110 premises were made to change their opening hours; and
* 390 premises had other conditions placed on their licences.
Licensing Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said:
"These are the first official licensing figures since the
Act came into force two years ago and I'm pleased they put to
bed the theory that this law is all about 24 hour drinking. It isn't.
"Less than three per cent of premises are licensed to sell
alcohol round-the-clock and two thirds of those are hotels, which
have always been able to serve their guests for 24 hours a day.
Only around one per cent of premises have 24 hour licences to sell
alcohol to the public - and many only open longer hours on special occasions.
"But it's not about how many premises there are -
it's about how responsible they are. The new laws give local
people and police the power to ask for a review of a licence any
time a problem occurs. That puts the onus back on the landlord -
behave or risk closing early or even having your licence revoked."
Notes to editors
1. The publication DCMS Statistical Bulletin: Alcohol,
Entertainment and Late Night Refreshment Licensing, England and
Wales, April 2006 - March 2007, can be found at http://www.culture.gov.uk/Reference_library/rands/statistics/alcohol_entertainment_licensing_statistics.htm
2. The results are based only on the completed returns received
and therefore will be an underestimate of the full picture in
England and Wales. Returns from 86 per cent of licensing
authorities were received in total, but the response rate differed
for each question asked, which should be taken into account in any
attempt to scale up these figures.
3. Within the commentary, figures have been rounded. If greater
than 1,000, figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred,
whereas figures between 1,000 and 100 have been rounded to the
nearest ten. All figures below 100 have not been rounded and are
shown in full.
4. The Licensing Act 2003 received Royal Assent on 10 July 2003.
Its reforms came into effect in full on 24 November 2005. The four
statutory objectives of the act are:
* the prevention of crime and disorder;
* public
safety;
* the prevention of public nuisance; and
* the
protection of children from harm.
For more information about the Licensing Act 2003 go to http://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/Alcohol_entertainment
Public enquiries 020 7211 6020
http://www.culture.gov.uk
2-4 Cockspur Street
London SW1Y 5DH
http://www.culture.gov.uk