New applications to serve alcohol and take-aways in a town centre "stress area" are likely to be rejected in a bid to cut down on late night anti-social behaviour.

The area around Queen Street and St Botolph's Street have been earmarked as a "stress area" where Colchester Council will normally refuse new applications for premises in that part of town serving alcohol and take-away food as part of Colchester's new licensing policy.

The council's draft policy, which has gone out to consultation, said: "This area has been identified as under stress because of the cumulative effect of the concentration of late-night food and drink and entertainment premises, which results in serious problems of disorder and/or public nuisance affecting residents, visitors and other businesses."

The policy has been drawn up as the Licensing Act 2003 transfers responsibilities for liquor licensing from magistrates to local councils.

More in today's Evening Gazette

Published Thursday, October 7, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette