Council Consults Local People on Licence Plan

Have your say about plans to reduce trouble in town centre

Fulham residents are being asked what they think about proposals to toughen up on bars, pubs and clubs in Fulham Town Centre.

Hammersmith & Fulham Council is holding a 12 week consultation on introducing a special licensing policy that could restrict the number of new premises in Fulham Town Centre.

Fulham Broadway, Stamford Bridge and parts of Fulham Road, where there are lots of pubs, clubs and bars, could soon be declared a ‘cumulative impact area’.

This would then allow the council to refuse new applications or applications to vary the activities or hours of an existing licence on the basis of the number of existing bars or any related problems in the area.

Councillor Greg Smith, H&F Council cabinet member for crime and street scene, said: "No matter how tightly controlled and well-run individual premises may be, the fact is that having so many pubs and clubs in such a small area is creating antisocial behaviour and disorder. We have to protect our residents as well as our local traders.

“When we have so many residents coming to us saying they are fed up of being woken up at three in the morning and fed up with finding vomit on their front steps, then we have to take action.

The council has received complaints from residents and businesses about late night noise, rowdiness, litter and criminal damage, all of which have had a negative effect on the local area.

The consultation runs until September 23 and a decision is expected to be made in January 2010.

Cllr Smith added: “We look forward to hearing the views of local residents and licensees on the proposed policy, and will take on board their comments before coming to any decision."

To give your opinion on the plans, go to the online consultation document or contact Lisa White on 020 8753 3947 for general queries about the council’s licensing policy.

August 3, 2009