Licensing policies are documents describing aspects of licensing to this borough. The Council has to create and review these by law. Every premises related application will be considered under this policy.

Licensing Act 2003

The Licensing Act 2003 requires our Licensing Authority to review its statement of Licensing Policy at least every five years. The current policy is in force until January 2026.

Licensing Policy 2021-2026 Consultation

The London Borough of Bexley is currently reviewing its Statement of Licensing Policy under the Licensing Act 2003. We are now seeking your views on the draft proposed Licensing Policy 2021-2026.

It is not proposed to alter the substantive Policy to any extent (but see also the separate consultation on the Cumulative Impact Assessment below). Due to the current situation during the pandemic, and the lockdown which has occurred throughout the industry, we feel it more prudent to refresh (without amendment) the current policy, and consider next year, once the longer-term effects on the industry can be assessed, whether any further change and review of this policy is necessary.

We would welcome your views on the draft policy (no change to existing) by email to licensing.office@bexley.gov.uk by no later than midnight 13 September 2020. If you would like a copy of the proposed licensing policy, please email licensing.office@bexley.gov.uk

Under the legislation, we must carry out a review of the Cumulative Impact Assessment of our borough to establish whether there are any areas with a significant number of licensed premises and whether there is evidence to show that this is having an adverse impact, particularly on crime and disorder and public nuisance. The assessment will form part of the finalised Licensing Policy.

The initial analysis indicates that consultation should revolve around the proposition that the two existing cumulative impact areas  Bexleyheath Town Centre and Welling Town Centre should remain but that there is insufficient evidence to introduce any further new cumulative impact area. No other areas of the borough have been identified as requiring a special policy on Cumulative Impact.

We would welcome your views on the analysis by email to licensing.office@bexley.gov.uk by no later than midnight 13 September 2020.

The consultations on the proposed Licensing Policy and on the Cumulative Impact Assessment closed on 13 September 2020.

Comments received will be reported back to the Licensing Committee and will be considered in detail as part of the Council's deliberations in approving the final Policy.