Excessive pub regulation criticised by BISL chairman

The chairman of industry association Business in Sport and Leisure (BISL) will today criticise the excessive regulation threatened for pubs and bars under Government proposals.

Speaking at the BISL's annual conference at Lord's Cricket Ground in North London, Neil Goulden will say that, although alcohol licensing remains the Department for Culture Media and Sport's (DCMS) remit, the Department of Health and Home Office are increasingly encroaching on it with attacks on the licensed industry.

Goulden is also expected to say that punitive measures such as Alcohol Disorder Zones are too clumsy and have ignored the success of partnership schemes such as Pubwatch and Business Improvement Districts.

"Too often of late, when other government departments have spotted a social ill, they have looked to hammer the leisure industry as a quick fix, egged on by elements in the media," he will say.

"With the immediate financial situation difficult, what our sector needs now is more proactive support from DCMS, recognising our economic role."

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By Chris Druce

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