Council launches public consultation on Plymouth's night life
Diners, drinkers, dancers and audiences in Plymouth are being asked how the city's night life can be made even better.
The city centre evening and night time economy is worth around £60 million and provides around 2,700 jobs and supports the growth of many businesses including restaurants, hotels, the theatre, taxi drivers, bars and clubs.
But the Council recognise that alongside the fun and economic benefits, the city's night life can bring side effects to both the individual and wider community.
Now Plymouth City Council is launching a public consultation on proposals to update its existing licensing policies to include new legislation and to better manage the knock-on effects a night out can have on others.
Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Brian Vincent said: "Plymouth is a great night out, but there has to be a balance between revellers and residents living nearby. Clubs and pubs bring money into businesses, which employ staff and contribute to a lively night out and to the city's economy.
"But there is a downside with crime, anti-social behaviour, noise, the burden on the police and health services as well as street cleaning near licensed premises and late-night fast-food takeaways."
Changes being suggested will put more responsibility on licence holders to spell out how they plan to better run their premises, looking at issues such as availability of tap water for customers, control of adult entertainment, better managing customers.
Another proposal is for off-licences – including super markets – to be part of the Cumulative Impact Policy that already operates in Plymouth. Five areas are covered by the policy – Stoke, the Barbican, North Hill, Mutley Plain and Union Street – and anyone who applies for a licence has to prove their business will not add to nuisance or anti-social behaviour. This currently does not include off-licences or hot food stalls but they could now be considered.
The Council is also looking at a late night levy which is designed to pass on the costs of drinking alcohol to the businesses that make the money from drinking.
Councillor Vincent added: "With the public purse being squeezed more and more, we think the time has come for those who make the money from serving drinks to contribute to the cost of clearing up the consequences.
"There needs to be a balance between a strong evening and night time economy and protecting communities, individuals and businesses."
Many factors are involved in controlling the effects of alcohol in the community. Certain areas attract different types of habits, have different concentrations of licenced premises or can have many more residents living cheek by jowl with the pubs and clubs.
Licensing conditions alone cannot control the negative effects of alcohol, but need to be part of a wider programme including street design and lighting, transport as well as policing, health care and working more with the community.
The consultation starts on Monday 5 August and runs until Thursday 5 October.
Visit the Council's licensing consultations page or email licensing@plymouth.gov.uk or by post to Licensing team, Public Protection Service, Plymouth City Council, Civic Centre, Plymouth PL1 2AA.
There will also be a series of events for people to talk in more detail about the proposals and these will target areas where there are a lot of pubs and clubs.
- Monday 19 August: Stoke Library from 2pm until 7pm
- Tuesday 20 August: Mutley Plain Baptist Church from 4pm until 8pm
- Wednesday 21 August: Central Library from 1pm until 5.30pm
- Thursday 22 August: The Barbican Quayside from 11am until 8pm (in a gazebo)
- Friday 23 August: Place de Brest from 12 noon until 4pm (in a gazebo) and Oasis Café Manor Street from 5.30pm until 8pm
There will also be an event on Tuesday 27 August for the licensed trade and other businesses with an interest in the consultation. More dates are being planned.
