Pubs consulted over rowdyism

Publicans will be consulted over new rules for licences

Council officials are to consult publicans in Worcester about rowdy behaviour in the city.

Under new legislation, the council is to take over responsibility for issuing pub and club licences from magistrates next year.

The authority is planning a series of meetings with licensees in the run-up to the introduction of the new system.

An innovation is the introduction of a new 10-year personal licence for all proprietors and managers of any premises where alcohol is sold.

The council will be able to revoke licences where trust has been breached.

Graphic video footage

Senior licensing and enforcement officer Julian Pugh says: "If a particular premises presents a persistent problem, the licensee runs the risk of having his personal licence taken away.

"This means he or she wouldn't be able to run a pub anywhere in the country."

The move follows the recent release of graphic CCTV footage of violence and late-night rowdyism in the city centre.