Restrictions on new clubs and bars opening in Stoke-on-Trent city centre are set to continue.

A cumulative impact policy has been in place in Hanley since 2015, making it harder for new venues to secure a licence if it's believed they will worsen problems with crime or anti-social behaviour.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is now looking to extend the policy for another three years, following a request from Staffordshire Police.

But a similar policy that has operated in Burslem is set to be dropped, as it is no longer considered necessary due to changes in socialising since the pandemic.

The cumulative impact assessment (CIA) is applied to both applications for new venues and bids to vary existing licences.

There are currently 126 licensed premises in Hanley town centre, including bars, clubs, off-licences and late night fast food outlets.

In their request for the CIA to continue, police say there is a 'consistent theme of crime and antisocial behaviour' in the city centre.

The local policing team engages in Safer Nights operations in Hanley every weekend, including high visibility patrols, which officers say is a 'labour intensive approach to reducing crime and disorder'.

Figures provided by Staffordshire Police show that in the last six months of 2023, there were 317 incidents of violence recorded in the city centre, up from 261 over the same period in 2022, while public order offences increased from 150 to 264.

The police request states: "As part of a wider approach to tackling the causes of the crime and disorder, it is recommended that the cumulative impact assessment policy is maintained in Hanley.

"New businesses are warmly welcomed by the local policing team and will be afforded equal levels of support and intervention where needed to tackle crime and disorder.

"However, it is considered appropriate that those new business that are likely to contribute to crime and disorder are scrutinised in line with this legislation to ensure that the correct steps are taken to prevent a further rise in crime within the city centre."

But the CIA is being opposed by Carl and Dominic Gratty, the owners of Gossip nightclub in Hope Street, Hanley.

In their objection, they note that 412 pubs and 65 nightclubs closed across the country, saying this was 'primarily due to additional restrictions on operating hours, business costs increasing and a change in social activities'.

Their objection states: "The cumulative impact assessment is used by Staffordshire Police to discourage and prevent existing late-night refreshment venues from varying their premise licenses.

"The police have always stated they would 'object' to any new or variation to existing premise licences in the late-night refreshment venues.

"This has not been based on increased crime and disorder from this sector, more to reduce their public duty."

Jack Burton, managing director of Chameleon Bar, in Trinity Street, Hanley, has written in support of the CIA, but calls for it to be applied consistently, 'encouraging responsible businesses while curbing those that breach conditions'.

Mr Burton says Chameleon has operated without a single police incident in seven months, during which time the number of assaults in Trinity Street has fallen, which he says demonstrates that venues can contribute to community safety.

He calls for the council to use current, granular data when applying the CIA, and for 'good performers' such as Chameleon to be given benefits such as longer operating hours or more flexible conditions.

Cabinet members will be asked to support the continued city centre CIA alongside a new statement of licensing policy when they meet on Tuesday. The final decision to adopt the policies will be taken by full council.

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