No license changes from Hackney Council until next year

Hackney Council has made a U-turn regarding its licensing proposal which would affect nightclub opening hours in the East London borough.

The original proposal - which was intended to go into play in January next year - meant that venues open past midnight would have their licensing applications scrutinised, but the council's keeping the current system in place until next year due to a "minor error" in the draft.

Could this 'error' have anything to do with the amount of backlash the proposal caused? Apparently not as it wasn't linked to the nightclub section, according to a statement from Emma Plouviez, the chair of Hackney's licensing committee.

"Although this was not related to the part of the consultation affecting nightclub opening hours, which is what we know has caused the most concern, we want to ensure that everyone who takes the time to respond to any council consultation can have confidence that they did so with the full facts.

"We needed to decide whether to correct the mistake and extend the current consultation, or take the opportunity to take a step back and re-consult on a new draft policy that we hope both residents and businesses will be able to support. Hackney's creative and night time economy is famous worldwide and brings valuable investment and employment into the borough, but first and foremost Hackney is a place for people to live. Balancing the needs of the night time economy with the rights of our residents to live in a peaceful and safe environment is one of the biggest challenges facing our borough."

While the current license stays in place, there will be a debate in autumn, giving businesses and locals the chance to have their say on moving forward and any changes that will be made.

[Via: RA]
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