Blackpool EMRO: Industry urges council to abandon plans

The council is currently considering representations following the consultation on a proposed EMRO which would restrict the sale or supply of alcohol between 3-6am. The order would apply seven days a week with the exception of Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Responding to a consultation on the licensing proposals, the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) said the plans would damage the local economy and could actually encourage 'pre-loading' from drinkers who think that pubs and bars will shut up shop earlier.

Stags and hens​

When the council confirmed its plans in May it pointed to a report carried out by the police in Lancashire which concluded that the 3am order would be a 'proportionate response' to the 'on-going problems' caused by the town's night-time economy. 

The Lancashire Constabulary recognised the proposals 'could have an economic impact' but said it would be 'limited', however that claim has now been rejected by a number of trade bodies which have warned of the 'negative effect' the plans would have on the town's leisure businesses, in particular those that benefit from stag and hen parties.

"We are greatly concerned that the imposition of an EMRO in Blackpool will have a negative effect for all those involved in the leisure sector," said Andy Sutch, executive director of Business in Sport and Leisure (BISL).

According to the body, which represents more than 70 private sector companies and organisations, visitors to Blackpool spend nearly £550m every year and a large number of the town's workers are employed in the tourism and leisure sector. 

"Stag and hen parties alone bring in approximately £250k to the town weekly, with money going to a wide range of leisure operators," he said. "We believe that an EMRO in Blackpool will result in potential visitors choosing to enjoy their nightlife in other cities, to the detriment of Blackpool’s economy and job opportunities."

A number of Blackpool-based licensees have echoed these concerns and told BigHospitality's sister publication the Publican's Morning Advertiser that an EMRO would 'devastate' the economy and could actually become a 'flashpoint' for more violence.

Rethink​

Blackpool is the latest town to consider the use of an EMRO to tackle problems linked to alcohol-related crime and violence.​ Both Hartlepool and Northampton councils recently looked at the possibility of introducing an order but both ultimately decided against.

Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the BBPA, said the two councils had abandoned the plans because of the potential negative impact on business and employment - she called on Blackpool to follow suit and rethink.

"The council and police understandably want to promote a family-friendly destination, but an EMRO is not a catch-all solution," she argued.

"It may encourage ‘pre-loading’ by drinkers who think that venues will close earlier, and would also damage the Blackpool economy. We need closer working between the hospitality sector, the council and the police to tackle problems, as has been done successfully in other towns and cities."

Partnership​

The responses to the consultation, which closed last week, come hot on the heels of the latest Crime Survey for England and Wales which shows not only that crime as a whole is down nine per cent year-on-year, but also that anti-social behaviour, which is often as a result of drunkenness, has fallen.

Kate Nicholls, strategic affairs director of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) said the new figures showed low-level crime was being tackled effectively.

"The figures show that you are now far less likely to be caught up in, witness or experience public disorder or anti-social behaviour than at any time over the past 30 years," she said. "The myth of no-go areas filled with drunken and rowdy people who are out of control is simply that – perception does not match reality.

"Bad behaviour is bad for business and, as the Government acknowledges, this significant drop in low-level offences in and around pubs and clubs is as a result of a zero-tolerance approach, effective door security and a proactive approach to enforcement. This not only drives down crime but bad behaviour generally and makes our town centres safer, more friendly places to enjoy a night out."

Nicholls said the fall in anti-social behaviour was a vindication of schemes such as Best Bar None, which was been praised by the Home Secretary,​ over licensing restrictions such as EMROs.

"Clearly there is more we can and must do," she admitted. "As an industry we are committed to reducing those levels even further and continuing to invest in proven solutions to address the problems at source such as Best Bar None and Pub and Club Watch. We would like politicians to recognise that we are part of the solution to addressing these issues, not part of the problem."

The Licensing Committee of Blackpool Borough Council is now expected to hold a hearing on the EMRO proposals in September.