Public to have say on future of night-time trade in Shrewsbury
Residents will have their say over the future of night-time trade in Shrewsbury at a public meeting with council leaders and police.
The meeting on Monday, organised by Shrewsbury Town Centre Residents Association, will ask people to decide what sort of town they want in a bid to solve the row over late-night opening hours for venues in the centre.
It comes after a number of applications submitted by pubs and bars to extend and amend their licenses to open later and allow outdoor drinking later into the night.
Shrewsbury Town Council said it is exploring the idea of creating a supplementary planning document to limit hours bars and pubs can open, restricting late night activity to the West End of the town.
Councillor Andrew Bannerman, who represents Shrewsbury town centre, has spoken out in support of restricting the town's venues to limited opening hours.
He said: "The aim is now building to get a supplementary planning document for the town which will give some material to planners as to what is or not a good idea for Shrewsbury.
"We want to keep the precious balance that we have between interests of residents and businesses.
"If there is too much noise residents will feel it is not worth the trouble living here, they will move out.
"It will be something lost from the town. It comes down to what sort of town centre we want."
Licensees have called for councillors instead to protect evening and night-time economy and promote ongoing success and achievements including the Purple Flag award – given to the town for its "safe and secure" evening trade.
Landlords and venue owners said implementing blanket restrictions could have a devastating effect on business.
Kirsten Henly, executive director at Shrewsbury Business Improvement District, also backed the call to protect the evening economy and said it brought business, jobs and commerce into the area.
Monday's meeting will be held at the Lion Hotel on Wyle Cop and will start at 7pm.
The panel will include Shropshire councillor Mal Price, Shrewsbury town councillor Andrew Bannerman and Inspector Ed Hancox from West Mercia Police as well as a number of Shropshire Council officers.
