Published: Thursday, 29th July, 2010 9:30am

Ban on new venues

by Adam Hewitt

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A PLAN to radically overhaul the town's drinking culture by banning new bars and nightclubs could clear another hurdle next week.

Reading Borough Council's planned "cumulative impact policy" will let it stop certain types of venues - those with few seats and aimed at a young crowd - from getting a licence within the zone, which covers pedestrianised parts of the town centre.

New restaurants, hotels, theatres, traditional pubs and cafe bars will be mostly exempt, as will takeaways and off-licences closing before midnight.

But there will be a "presumption against" new bars and clubs being allowed to open.

The council's licensing committee will discuss the draft policy at its meeting on Wednesday and if it approves will send it for ratification by the full council meeting in October.

Pubwatch chairman and drinks industry consultant Bill Donne has come out against the plans, which he says will not work and cover an "unreasonably wide area".

Most other consultees have backed the proposals.

The council report says most town centre bars and clubs are "well run" but adds: "The sheer volume and concentration of premises is having a negative impact on the licensing objectives."

The plans come in advance of a Government review of 24-hour drinking.

Anyone can attend Wednesday's meeting, which is at 6.30pm at the council offices.