Plan to extend stricter alcohol licensing revealed

Middlesbrough Council wants to hear views on its plan to extend the alcohol licensing zone

Alcohol licencing conditions could become stricter in parts of a trouble-hit town, a council has said.

If plans are approved, Middlesbrough Council's cumulative impact policy (CIP) zone will be extended to restrict the granting of licences to sell alcohol in more areas.

It was introduced to tackle alcohol-related problems in the town centre and make it more difficult for new licence applicants to be accepted.

The council said it was urging businesses and residents to make their views known on its plans to extend the zone to areas including Park End and Beckfield.

Anyone hoping to open licensed premises such as a pub, off-licence or takeaway, must apply to the local authority.

The council treats each application individually, but said it was less likely to grant licences to applicants with premises in its CIP zone.

In 2022, a town centre grocery shop was refused permission to sell alcohol after the council's licensing committee heard the surrounding area had a "startling" crime rate.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, more than a quarter of alcohol-related crimes were committed in the area now covered by the CIP.

If an extension of the scheme is agreed, it will also cover areas in Brambles, Thorntree, Berwick Hills and Pallister.

A public consultation on the plans will open until 26 August.