Lambeth Council rejects Early Morning Restriction Order (EMRO)

Following a four day hearing, Lambeth Council has announced that it has rejected plans for an EMRO.

The controversial measure would have banned the sale of alcohol in four licensed premises at the junction of Wandsworth Road and North Street in Clapham between midnight and 6am.

Albeit it was noted that there were long-term problems in the borough the committee were not convinced that an EMRO was “the right tool for the job”.

The decision stated “We applaud the agreed list of actions proposed by Lost Society and signed by all four premises. We endorse these steps and welcome this approach, which was clearly absent prior to the institution of this process. We expect to see that this would lead to a significant improvement in the situation for residents.”

A number of recommendations were made including the Council taking the following additional/alternative steps:

8.3. Investigating alternative methods for residents to record complaints more easily and contemporaneously and consistently. Thelovecleanstreets smartphone app provides a good example of how this might be achieved.

8.4. If residents experience further problems they should keep a contemporaneous record of these and provide regular updates through the noise team.

8.5. All four premises engage with Clapham Business Community (CBC).

8.6. The proposed Clapham BID boundaries be considered to include the junction of Wandsworth Road and North Street in Clapham.

Councillor Jack Hopkins, cabinet member for community safety, is reported to have said: “Councils across the country have tried to use this new power, all coming up short. We have to find a better way to protect our residents from alcohol-related antisocial behaviour - but it’s starting to look like this legislation isn’t as helpful as it needs to be.”

The Licensing Committee are to review the position in six months at which time if matters have not significantly improved the Council is likely to recommend that there is serious consideration be made to bringing a Review of all four licensed premises or to reinstate EMRO proceedings.

The full minutes of the hearing as well as the decision can be found clicking here.