The Licensing Act 2003 requires each licensing authority to publish a Statement of Licensing Policy and to keep that policy under review. Since the Licensing Act 2003 came into effect in 2005, Newcastle has had, as part of the Statement of Licensing Policy, what is termed a ‘Cumulative Impact Special Policy Area’ covering the city centre. Similar policies exist in Jesmond, Gosforth, Heaton and Ouseburn.
In 2010/11 we reviewed the Statement of Licensing Policy in its entirety. It was felt that within the City Centre Cumulative Impact Special Policy Area, certain streets had changed their character such that a Special Stress Area was introduced as part of the policy. The Special Stress Area relates to premises with alcohol for consumption on the premises and to the provision of late night refreshment. In this area new licences and material variations (e.g. for later hours) will only be granted in exceptional circumstances. The Special Stress Area currently covers Mosley Street, Collingwood Street, Cloth Market, Groat Market, Bigg Market, Pudding Chare, The Gate Complex and surrounding streets, and Newgate Street.
As a consequence of representations, it is now proposed to establish a second Special Stress Area to cover Westmorland Road from Clayton Street West to St. James’ Boulevard, Scotswood Road from junction with Marlborough Crescent to St. James’ Boulevard, St. James’ Boulevard from Redheugh Bridge to junction with Westmorland Road, Churchill Street, Westmorland Lane, Waterloo Street to Forth Place, Times Square and Marlborough Crescent. As with the existing Special Stress Area, it is proposed that this new area will relate to applications for premises where there is, or where there is intended to be, alcohol for consumption on the premises or the provision of late night refreshment.
We are currently consulting on the proposal for a new Special Stress Area, its boundaries and what the exceptional circumstances should be.
New off-licences became covered by the Cumulative Impact Special Policy in the City Centre, Jesmond and Gosforth in 2011. However, only applications for new off-licences are presently covered. We are consulting on whether the policy should include variations of hours at off-licences. In Chillingham Road a new Cumulative Impact Special Policy area was introduced to cover new takeaways (only those selling hot food after 11 p.m. are regulated under the Act). Similarly it is proposed that variations (i.e. later hours) should be included under the policy.
