Failed licensing appeal won’t set precedent for pubs

JD Wetherspoon’s failed appeal against a decision to curb its opening hours at a Lloyds No 1 pub in Guildford, Surrey, won’t set a precedent.

In what was seen as a test case for the industry, Guildford Council turned down the appeal after police raised fears that the area was “demanding” and “acted as a magnet for drunk people”.

The 655-strong pub group launched the appeal after failing to extend its hours for three hours on every night of the week at its Bridge Street site in the town centre.

But a spokeswoman for the Association of Multiple Licensed Retailers (AMLR) said the appeal was only turned down because of the council’s special saturation policy (SSP) in that part of the town.

An SSP makes it harder for pubs to extend their hours.

According to the AMLR spokeswoman, there are about 20 SSP’s in the UK and a wave of them following the Wetherspoon case is not expected.

“Local authorities have to meet a very strict set of criteria to establish SSP’s,” she said.  

A Wetherspoon spokesman also played down suggestions that the case would have a nationwide impact.

“The problem is specific to Guildford and won’t stop us applying for extensions in the future. We already have them in place at 95% of our pubs,” he said.

Company profile >>

Wetherspoon in U turn over smoking >> 

Wetherspoon company website >> 

By Tom Bill

Get your copy of Caterer and Hotelkeeper every week - click here to subscribe and save 25%.