Brent Statement of Licensing Policy - 24-Hour City

Brent Council are currently consulting on the introduction of a new statement of licensing policy. The consultation will run until 4^th October 2019.

The draft includes policies for the introduction of ten cumulative impact zones where street drinking and alcohol related crime exist to prevent growth of more off-licences.

In addition, following the Mayor of London’s vision for London as a 24-hour City the draft Policy supports a 24-hour night time economy in Wembley (designated by the Mayor as a night time economy area of international or national significance) and Kilburn in order to facilitate an enhancement of leisure and entertainment functions and the night time economy, with appropriate safeguards.  Both Wembley and Kilburn are defined as major town centres with the draft Policy. 

The Council states in their Policy support the Mayor’s vision for these areas (Wembley & Kilburn) and will support applications which “facilitate an enhancement of leisure and entertainment functions and the night time economy, with appropriate safeguards”.

Another draft Policy included in the consultation document is for Minimum Unit Pricing:

• Policy: The Council has a preference that applicants include a voluntary condition that they will not sell alcohol at a price under 70 pence per unit of alcohol.

The policy refers to ‘significant research evidence’ concerning the significant positive benefits of such a policy although this is not recited in the policy.  The Council states:

• “…the Council strongly encourages applicants to consider including a voluntary condition of a Minimum Unit Price in their application and will more positively consider applications that include a voluntary condition of a Minimum Unit Price for all sales of alcohol.”

We shall keep you updated.