Castle Point Council has already received mixed reviews to details of the latest changes to licensing laws.

Meeting - Chris Jacob, right, meets Castle pub landlady Mandy Whitehead and others to discuss the licensing shakeup Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

The council's licensing manager Chris Jacob has started advising licensees and the public about the proposed changes.

People have have until October to air their views about the proposals.

The new rules stipulate that from November 2005, Castle Point Council will take over full licensing responsibility from the police and licensing magistrates' courts.

This could lead to relaxing the opening times of pubs and bars and allowing them to stay open longer.

Mr Jacob said: "I talked to members of the public at the various area forum meetings. There were a lot of questions asked, a lot of feedback which was mixed."

Go the council's website www.castlepoint.gov.uk to see the first draft of the new policy. Comments should be submitted in writing to Mr Jacob by October 28.

Published Monday August 16, 2004

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