THE local Licensed VictuallersÕ Association is advising its members to apply for late liquor licences, in response to the precedent set by local magistrates.
The licensees, some of whom have been turned down for late licences in the past, feel that with the Wey Bridge being the only town centre pub in Alton to have been given a late licence, other pubs in the town arenÕt being given a level playing field on which to trade.
The Wey Bridge was granted its special hours certificate back in July last year, before its opening in November.
Under the terms of its special hours certificate, The Wey Bridge is legally entitled to open its doors from 10 am to 12 pm, Monday to Saturday. At present, the pub only opens late at weekends.
An objection to the application was received by the courts from Alton Police, which cited the reasons of annoyance caused to residents and visitors, and the stretched nature of police resources.
However, this objection could not be considered in court, as it was received after the deadline by which these objections have to be made.
Even though the new pub is now up and running, Alton Police still believe their resources are not sufficient to justify late-licensed pubs in the town. A statement issued by Alton Inspector Tony Tipping said: ÒIt was due to a legal technicality that our objections to this application could not be heard. We would have objected if we had been able to, as we believe that no public house in Alton needs a special hours certificate.Ó
David Paton, former LVA chairman, said: ÒWhen The Wey Bridge licence came up in court, the police didnÕt legally object to it. This allowed the magistrates to set a precedent, because it shows that, given the right set of conditions, they are prepared to grant a late licence in Alton.
ÒThis sort of scenario is not unique to Alton, it happens in a lot of places.
ÒWe understand that many LVA members are ruffled because they feel unable to compete on a level playing field, and because they are losing trade, but it would be naive to expect the Wey Bridge licence to be rescinded on that basis.
ÒHistorically, the LVA has not opposed any licence application as a body, but has simply offered advice. We are advising members not to try and get the Wey Bridge licence rescinded but, if they feel strongly about it, to apply for their own 12 pm licence. Members should also make sure that they have good legal representation and that their solicitor is well-briefed.
ÒThe fly in the ointment could still be lack of police manpower, but you could argue that if more pubs had late-night opening then people leaving at that time would be dispersed around the town and not spill out onto the streets in one big group. The fact is, you always get more trouble with bigger groups.
ÒWe are also suggesting that other licensees find out from the Brewster Sessions clerk how the Wey Bridge got its licence - probably on the back of a public entertainment licence for music and dancing.Ó
One such licensee taking the LVAÕs advice is the landlord of The Bakers Arms, Ken Balfour. He said: ÒI applied for my 12 oÕclock licence months ago when I heard that The Wey Bridge was getting one.
ÒIÕve already been told that the police are going to object to my application because they donÕt have the manpower to supervise it. They have been forced to find the manpower to cope with The Wey Bridge and my door is about 25 yards away, so why canÕt they monitor both at the same time?
ÒI was one of the first to welcome the new pub into Alton as I thought it was exactly what was needed to liven the town up, and I still think that. I have no problem with them and I wish them every success. But I also think that if one pub is given a late licence, then other pubs must also be allowed the same opportunity in order to compete.
ÒMy application will be decided at Alton Magistrates Court on January 21, along with applications from three other licensees in the town, and IÕm sure that more late licence applications will be forthcoming in the future.
ÒIÕm confident of success. IÕve been a licensee in this town since 1977, IÕve held a public entertainments licence for a number of years, and I employ extra security at the weekends. Having already set the precedent, I canÕt see how the courts can refuse my application.
ÒIf things donÕt go my way, then I will have to think seriously about getting local councillors and local MPs involved. Most pubs in town only scrape by as it is, so to give one place an advantage over the rest would be to take away peopleÕs livelihoods.Ó