Fulham bars curb

Tuesday July 28, 2009

Pint to prove: Residents want the late-night madness to stop.

Is Fulham being overrun with rowdy pubs and clubs? Whatever you think, residents are being asked by H&F Council for their views on proposals to restrict new bars, pubs and clubs opening in Fulham town centre.

The 12-week consultation on whether or not to introduce a special licensing policy that could restrict the number of new premises in Fulham town centre has been launched.

Fulham Broadway, Stamford Bridge and parts of Fulham Road, home to many pubs, clubs and bars, could soon be declared a `cumulative impact area'. This would allow the council to refuse new applications or applications to vary the activities or hours of an existing licence based on the number of existing bars or any related problem.

H&F cabinet member Greg Smith said: "No matter how tightly controlled and well-run individual premises may be, the fact is that having so many pubs and clubs in such a small area is creating antisocial behaviour. We have to protect residents as well as our local traders. When we have so many residents saying they are fed up of being woken up at three in the morning and fed up with finding vomit on their front steps, then we have to take action."

The council has received numerous complaints from residents and businesses about late night rowdiness.

Saba Ali, 29, assistant manager of Costcutter in Fulham Broadway, said: "I think it would help quite a lot. We are open 24 hours and our night shift has had problems. Drunk people come in and they break everything. They have even broken the front door before. It is especially bad when there are football or rugby matches on in the pubs. I am not totally against new pubs, though. It is drinking in general that is the problem."

The consultation runs until September 23 and a final decision is expected to be made in January 2010.

Have your say online now»  (opens new window)