There is just one week left for residents and businesses to give their views on licensing matters in Durham City. A public consultation, which asks whether Durham County Council should introduce a special policy which looks at the effect of the number of licensed premises in the city, closes at 5pm on Friday 8 November. The council is keen to hear people’s views on the current position regarding licensed premises such as pubs, night-clubs, takeaways and off-licenses. Members of the public are being encouraged to provide evidence relating to crime and disorder, public safety, public nuisance and the protection of children from harm in the city.
Owen Cleugh, the council’s consumer protection manager, said: “As part of the consultation to inform our new Licensing Act policy, there were some concerns highlighted about the number and operating hours of licensed premises in Durham City which were having an adverse effect on the licensing objectives, so we are exploring whether there is a need to bring in a special licensing policy. “We’re working closely with responsible authorities such as the Police as well as internal partner agencies such as our community safety team, our environmental health service and our city centre manager, but we also want to hear from the people who visit, live and work in the city.”
durham The council will consider all of the information and evidence it receives to find out what problems exist in the city and decide whether a special licensing policy would address them. For more information and to have a say on the consultation, please visit www.durham. gov.uk/consultation or contact the Licensing Team on 03000 261 016.
