Responding to today’s government announcement that new laws and a
simplified licensing and planning process will be introduced in a
Business and Planning Bill to support the reopening of pubs,
restaurants and cafes, which aims to make it easier for people to
safely drink and dine outside, the Local Government Association’s
Economy spokesman, Cllr David Renard, said:
“Councils up and down the country have already been working hard
to look at the measures that can be put in place to help
hospitality businesses get up and running again in the coming
months, including relaxing requirements and considering how town
centres can be used differently to enable businesses to operate
outside. This new Bill will help ensure a consistent approach can
be taken so businesses can reopen as soon as they can and people
can get back to enjoying their high streets safely.
“It is vitally important that councils retain oversight of the
activities allowed in their local areas so that they can manage
different interests, including the need to contain COVID-19,
accessibility issues, the interests of local residents and any
competing demands between different businesses.
“Councils need to be able to refuse requests where these cannot
be managed safely, and to be able to take action if any issues
arise following reopening. The relaxation of these rules will
require individual business owners, trade groups and the police
to work together alongside responsible behaviour by customers.
The full responsibility, and cost, for making this work
successfully does not sit with local authorities alone.
“Councils will need to process a potentially large number of
applications in a short period of time so will also need clear
and comprehensive guidance from government.
“It is right that these relaxations should only be temporary
measures. However, the LGA has long urged the Government to
undertake a comprehensive review of outdated licensing
legislation to bring it into the 21st century and make it easier
for businesses and councils alike. We urge government to work
with us to do so once the proposed relaxations have ended.”
