The number of licensed premises selling alcohol in Midland Road is perpetuating a culture of street drinking and anti-social behaviour in the area, according to Castle Ward Cllr David Fletcher,
At a meeting of Bedford Borough Council’s Licensing Committee last week, yet another licence was granted for the sale of alcohol in Midland Road, bringing the total number of such licences to 14.
As a result, Cllr Fletcher has requested the implementation of a Cumulative Impact Policy in a move which would put in place a presumption against the approval of licences in Midland Road. Licensing applicants would then need to prove that granting a licence for alcohol or refreshments would not detrimentally affect the Council’s licensing objectives such as the prevention of crime, disorder and public nuisance.
Cllr Fletcher told the Bedfordshire on Sunday:
'On the one hand the Council is doing great work to tackle poverty and crime in the area by working with charities such as the Salvation Army, but on the other it is perpetuating the problem by handing out endless alcohol licences. The cumulative impact policy will do something positive to prevent crime.’