main content Walkabout to close early following licence review

The Walkabout pub in Bromley High Street, part of the national chain, is set to stop selling alcohol 30 minutes earlier following a licence review last Thursday. The Licensing Sub-Committee decision is effective for 4 weeks and relates to Friday and Saturday nights. The review, called for by Trading Standards Officers, followed concerns about incidents of selling alcohol to underage customers.

“Licensees and traders will be aware of their legal obligations and obviously, selling alcohol to a minor is a very serious matter. I am encouraged to note Walkabout’s commitment to prevent future incidents of underage selling. We will be monitoring the future conduct of Walkabout as part of our programme to ensure that alcohol and other age restricted products are not sold to minors” said Rob Vale, Head of Trading Standards.

A number of conditions were also imposed by the Licensing Sub Committee. These included a ‘Challenge 25’ policy. Anyone who appears to be under 25 years old, should be asked for identification. The only acceptable methods of identification are a passport or photo driver’s licence. No person under the age of 18 will be allowed on the premises at any time.

The review was told that in a Trading Standards led operation, two volunteers aged 15 and 16 years successfully bought two bottles of Smirnoff Ice in a test purchase operation last September. On a Friday night, two months later in December, two under age volunteers again bought alcoholic beverages.

Under the new licensing laws, any person or group can ask the Council formally to review a premises licence. A review can take place at any time after a licence comes into operation. Reviews address whether the licensees are meeting their obligations under the four licensing objectives in relation to: 

• prevention of harm to children; 
• crime and disorder; 
• public safety; and 
• prevention of nuisance.

Reviews are heard by the Council’s Licensing Committee. At the hearing the Committee has the option to revise the operating hours under the licence and/ or impose various conditions; to withdraw the licence; or to allow the licence to operate as before. The decision of the Licensing Sub-committee takes effect 21 days after the licensee has been informed of the decision in writing. During that time an appeal can be made to Bromley Magistrates court against the decision. If an appeal is lodged the Councils decision is suspended until it is heard by the Court.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• In 2001, the Government announced plans to reform the country's licensing laws. The changes started to come into place on 7th February 2005, with the new regime finally taking over on Thursday 24th November 2005. It affects premises selling alcohol.
• Appeals against a decision of the Licensing Sub Committee -
  
  1. An applicant, responsible authority or interested party may appeal against a decision of the licensing sub committee in certain circumstances. These are laid down with Schedule 5 of the Licensing Act 2003.
  2. Any appeal should be made to the Magistrates Court. An appeal must be lodged within 21 days beginning the day on which you were informed of the decision of the committee. 
  
• For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Communications Advisor, on 020 8461 7670 or Paul Lehane, Licensing Team Leader on 020 8313 4216 or Andrew.Rogers@bromley.gov.uk