Group rejects curb on late night drinking in Shrewsbury

Richard Goodchild, scheme manager for Safer Shrewsbury which represents licensed premises in the town, said that shortening opening hours could harm the burgeoning night-time economy.

It comes after Shrewsbury Town Council requested a meeting with licensing officers from Shropshire Council. Councillors intend to use the meeting to see if they can restrict town centre alcohol licenses to a 2am finish.

Mr Goodchild said: "I think the current system is doing its job. All of our members are working together to try and encourage a vibrant evening economy.

"Currently we have people travelling from the West Midlands and other areas to come out for an evening in Shrewsbury, let's keep it that way."

Mr Goodchild said that premises selling alcohol in Shrewsbury co-operate to ensure that anti-social behaviour is kept to a minimum. He also said the number of anti-social behaviour incidents has been falling throughout the year.

He said: "The licensees all work together to bring about a vibrant evening economy, it is a real example of partnership working. I can say that between March and October there was a significant reduction in anti -social behaviour and crimes of violence in Shrewsbury town centre.

"That is because they are all working together and if someone starts to cause an issue in one of the licensed premises then they are put out of the door. The door teams across the town then work together and that person might as well make their way home for the night because they will not be getting in." He said the organisation, which represents more than 50 pubs and bars, would also seek to resolve any issues raised by town residents.

In a written submission to Shropshire Council, the town council's planning committee said: "When premises licences come up for renewal, members would like to see conditions imposed whereby no admission and no alcohol sales are allowed after 2am and premises are closed by 3am."