Statement of Licensing Policy (2008) WCC - Westminster City Council

Introduction/definition2.5.17 This policy applies to premises where the sale of alcohol is exclusively forconsumption off the premises, ie shops, stores and supermarkets etc.Off sales of alcohol outside the Stress AreasPolicy OS1Applications will generally be granted and reviews determined subject to the relevantcriteria in Policies CD1, PS1, PN1 CH1 and HRS1 and other policies in this StatementOff sales of alcohol within the Stress AreasPolicy OS2Applications will be granted subject to the relevant criteria in Policies CD1, PS1, PN1CH1 and HRS1 and other policies in this Statement, provided it is demonstrated thatthey will not add to cumulative impact in the Stress Areas.Reasons for Policies OS1 & OS22.5.18 Revised Government Guidance recommends that shops, stores and supermarketsselling alcohol should generally be permitted to match the hours during which theymay sell alcohol with their normal trading hours, unless there are exceptional reasonsrelated to the licensing objectives, in particular the prevention of crime and disorderand public nuisance. revised Guidance, paragraph, 13.42, states“ Statements of Licensing Policy should indicate that shops, stores andsupermarkets, are free to provide sales of alcohol for consumption off thepremises at any times when the retail outlet is open for shopping unlessthere are good reasons, based on the licensing objectives, for restrictingthose hours. For example, a limitation may be appropriate following Policerepresentations in the case of some shops known to be a focus of disorderand disturbance because youths gather there. Statements of Licensing Policyshould therefore refl ect this general approach.”2.5.19 There are problems of street drinking found across the city. While there are someareas with recurring problems of street drinking ‘schools’, they also crop up in differentareas at different times and seasons. Shops selling alcohol can be a source of antisocialbehaviour, disorder and disturbance. These include the day-long consumptionof alcohol on the street and in open spaces by groups of drinkers who cause varioustypes of public nuisance and engage in antisocial behaviour; the sale of alcoholto underage young people which apart from being a criminal offence, gives rise to57