Licensing Policy Consultation

Overview

The Council is reviewing its Statement of Licensing Policy (the Policy), which sets out how we regulate and licence businesses that sell or supply alcohol, provide entertainment or late-night refreshment in the borough, and we want you to have your say.

A balanced Policy facilitates the growth of businesses while encouraging greater community participation, increased confidence in licensing decisions and giving local residents the opportunity to voice their views on licensing decisions that affect them.

The current interim Statement of Licensing Policy was introduced in 2022 and a full review of the Policy has now been undertaken. A regular review and adoption of the Statement of Licensing Policy ensures that the licensing framework is up to date and that it promotes a safe environment for users of licensed premises, residents and the wider social economy. It will also ensure that there are appropriate methods for enforcement should operators fail to uphold the standards expected of them.

Summary of Changes

Statement of Licensing Policy 2025-2030.

Our proposed Statement of Licensing Policy will run from June 2025 and the Policy sets out how the Council will meet the four licensing objectives under the Licensing Act, which are:

• the prevention of crime and disorder
• the upholding of public safety
• the prevention of public nuisance
• the protection of children from harm

The Council will use the Policy to make decisions about licence applications from businesses in the borough that wish to:

• sell or supply alcohol
• provide regulated entertainment
• sell hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am (late night refreshment)

Proposed changes to the Policy

We are proposing the following changes to the Policy which we are now consulting on so as to gather your views on these proposals.

Pre-application advice service (Chapter Four, page 27)

The draft Policy emphasises the importance of pre-application engagement with local communities and Responsible Authorities to improve the licensing process by fostering inclusivity, providing greater clarity on licence applications, and supporting the development of high-quality submissions.

This approach aims to reduce post-application negotiations and encourages applicants to use the enhanced pre-application service, which offers tailored guidance, ensures compliance with legal requirements, and promotes early community involvement to address potential concerns. By doing so, the Policy seeks to enhance community relations, streamline the application process, and ensure that applications align with licensing objectives and local needs.

Women’s safety and drink spiking (Chapter Four, page 29-32)

The draft Policy integrates the principles of the Mayor of London’s Women’s Night Safety Charter to ensure that women feel safe in Camden at all times including in Camden’s evening and night-time economy, addressing the safety of both patrons and staff at licensed premises. It encourages venues to adopt measures that promote women’s safety and responsible practices. Additionally, the Policy highlights the issue of alcohol-related harm, including drink spiking, and outlines preventative measures for licensed premises to create safer and more enjoyable environments for all.

Framework hours (Chapter Five, pages 45-47)

The draft Policy introduces amended framework hours designed to balance the growth of a diverse evening and night-time economy with the need to mitigate potential negative impacts on local residents and workers. By fostering a business environment that supports innovation and adaptability, the revised framework hours aim to contribute to a vibrant and responsive local economy while promoting responsible licensing practices.

Under the new framework, operating hours for premises licensed to sell alcohol for consumption on-site are extended by 30 minutes, with terminal hours now set at midnight from Monday to Thursday, 12:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 11:00 p.m. on Sundays. Similar adjustments have been made for off-sale of alcohol and non-alcohol-related licensable activities. These changes are intended to provide greater flexibility for businesses while maintaining safeguards for community well-being.

Applications seeking to operate beyond the revised framework hours will be subject to heightened scrutiny. Such applications must clearly demonstrate alignment with the statutory licensing objectives and address any concerns related to cumulative impacts. Licensing authorities and Responsible Authorities are likely to challenge applications that fail to meet these standards.

It is important to note that the proposed adjustments do not automatically extend the operating hours of existing venues. Licensed premises wishing to operate beyond their current hours will be required to submit a formal variation application, which will be assessed in accordance with statutory procedures and the revised Policy framework.

Licensing Principles and Best Practice Guide (Chapter 7, pages 51-52)

The draft Policy introduces a comprehensive set of licensing principles and best practices to support applicants and licensees in promoting the four statutory licensing objectives:

1. The prevention of crime and disorder,
2. Public safety
3. The prevention of public nuisance
4.  The protection of children from harm

These guidelines provide clear expectations from the licensing authority and its Responsible Authority partners, ensuring that applicants complete operating schedules effectively and licensees maintain high operational standards at their premises.

The principles emphasize the importance of proactive measures to safeguard patrons, staff, and the surrounding community.

Key examples of best practices include:

Responsible Alcohol Service: Staff should be trained to serve alcohol responsibly, ensuring compliance with age restrictions, recognizing signs of intoxication, and refusing service when necessary to prevent alcohol-related harm.

Enhanced Security Measures: Licensed venues are encouraged to implement robust and appropriate security protocols, such as CCTV, trained security personnel, and controlled entry/exit points to ensure the safety of all patrons and staff.

Comprehensive Staff Training: Employees should receive training on alcohol awareness, customer service, and handling situations such as drink spiking incidents (also specifically covered below) or ensuring women's safety in the evening and night-time economy.

Drink Spiking Prevention: Premises should educate both staff and patrons about the risks of drink spiking and implement preventive measures, such as advising customers to keep drinks attended and promoting vigilance among staff.

Enforcement and Monitoring (Chapter Fourteen, Pages 76-78)

The draft Policy introduces a revised enforcement and monitoring framework, designed to enhance regulatory oversight and collaboration among Responsible Authorities through a new partnership protocol. This protocol aligns with Camden's strategic commitment to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment, particularly in its evening and night-time economy.

The partnership protocol emphasizes a coordinated, intelligence-led approach to managing challenges particularly associated with the evening and night-time economy. Key objectives include:

• Promoting the four statutory licensing objectives
• Addressing non-compliance at licensed venues
• Providing support during the pre-application process

By fostering closer collaboration between authorities, the protocol aims to improve the management of Camden’s public spaces and reduce issues such as public nuisance, disorder, and non-compliance.

Responsible Authorities will prioritize specific types of licence applications, such as those seeking extended operating hours, off-premises alcohol sales, or those with potential cumulative impacts. Applications that fail to adequately demonstrate adherence to licensing objectives will receive increased scrutiny, ensuring that all licensing decisions promote community safety and align with Camden’s strategic goals.

Licence Conditions (Appendix 5, pages 91-112)

The draft Policy introduces a revised set of licence conditions tailored to specific types of premises and designed to support the four statutory licensing objectives:

1. Preventing crime and disorder
2. Ensuring public safety
3. Preventing public nuisance
4. Protecting children from harm.

These conditions serve as a practical framework to guide applicants, residents, and Responsible Authorities in proposing and assessing appropriate measures that align with the characteristics of each premises and its potential impacts on the community.

While the revised conditions provide a robust foundation, they are not exhaustive. Applicants and other stakeholders have the flexibility to propose alternative or additional conditions tailored to unique circumstances. Furthermore, licensing sub-committees retain the authority to impose any conditions they deem necessary to uphold the licensing objectives, ensuring decisions are made on a case-by-case basis that considers local nuances and stakeholder feedback.

This approach promotes consistency and clarity in the licensing process while allowing adaptability to address the diverse nature of licensed premises across Camden. By aligning proposed conditions with the specific activities and environment of each premises, the Policy ensures a balanced framework that supports business operations while safeguarding community interests. This revision enhances the fairness and effectiveness of the licensing process, benefiting all parties involved.

Why your views matter

After the consultation, a decision report will be produced and published online via our website. Local residents and stakeholders will be notified of the outcome. The report will consider a broad range of information including consultation responses, relevant policies, and other data/information.

For information on how we will use data collected from this consultation read our privacy statement: Data protection, privacy and cookies - Camden Council The results/responses may be shared with external consultants for analysis and evaluation.