Residents get final say over bar openings

Residents could be given powers to restrict pub and club opening hours in Clapham High Street under plans to create an alcohol "saturation zone" following concerns about an increase in anti-social behaviour.

Lambeth councillors want to stop any more drinking spots opening in the area, where there are already 67 licensed bars and restaurants and 19 off-licences - and a spokesman said that under the plans even a single resident's objection could be grounds for refusing a licence.

The zone would run along Clapham High Street from the junction with Clapham Park Road to Bedford Road and Clapham North station, including several of the adjacent side roads. According to police 57 per cent of reported crime and antisocial behaviour around Clapham High Street takes place inside or near licensed premises.

Last month 86 crimes were reported there, including 14 violent crimes and 15 cases of antisocial behaviour, according to Police.uk, the crime statistics website.

Rachel Heywood, cabinet member for community safety, said: "People should be able to visit Clapham at night without fear of abuse or intimidation from groups of people who have had too much to drink. But this is not intended to be something punitive to businesses. We want a safe and successful environment, and that is for businesses, too."

But local businesses have warned that trade could suffer. Mat Berna, general manager at the Frog pub, next to Clapham Common, said bar owners were already working to increase safety.

He said: "If you are drunk at 3am then it is not a good idea to keep drinking.

"But we are improving the security in this area. It would be a shame to reduce the licensing hours here."

A Lambeth council spokesman said the licensing committee already consults residents' groups before decisions are made to allow new bars to open, but if the zone was enacted it would give residents greater powers.