Ban on more late-night licences

A ban on more late-night licences in the West End is being introduced.

Westminster council is tightening its rules with a "one in, one out" policy for bars and clubs seeking licences after 1am - meaning a new club can only open if an existing one closes.

The move comes as a report by police and residents' groups today accuses the Government of "sleepwalking" into a disaster with its plans for 24-hour licensing. It adds that some licensees regard the West End as a "Wild West" to be exploited for maximum profits.

Westminster expects to close consultation on its hardline licensing policy in the next six to eight weeks. It wants to make sure the new rules are watertight against court challenges from pub and club owners who appeal against the council's refusal of a late licence.

Conservative council leader Simon Milton, who told the Evening Standard last month that "near anarchy" reigned in central London at night, said: "It makes no sense to make matters worse by increasing the number of late-night licences.

"As a result, we don't wish to increase the number beyond 1am unless a strong case can be made that it's not going to make matters worse. The police have asked us not to license any more beyond 1am on the grounds of crime and disorder. They believe the situation is already at full stretch."

Westminster decided to tighten its rules after a High Court judge said in May that it was understandable and appropriate to have a policy presuming against new West End licences.

Today's report by the Central Westminster Police Consultative Group, entitled "After a good night out - the hangover", agrees that no new licences should be granted. It says the council has to seek a balance between the demands of the late-night industry and those of residents.

Though many pubs and clubs are "very well run" and contribute hugely to the vitality of the West End, the report says, there are now too many in too small an area. Indeed, "the concentration and number of licensed premises is greater than probably anywhere in the world".

The report says that Covent Garden and Soho started life as residential communities, and residents "don't want to see the West End turned into a downmarket alcohol and drug-fuelled slum". Short bursts of "high-intensity noise" prevent many from sleeping properly at night, it adds.

Matthew Bennett, chairman of the consultative group's licensing working party and himself a licensee, said: "We are convinced the number of premises has breached the capacity of the area to manage them properly.

"These are truly 'stress areas' and we support the view that no more late-night licences should be granted until that stress has been alleviated."