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Housing Seminar: Partnerships with the Public Sector – Avoiding the pitfalls
Thu 31 May 2012
Minerva House, 5 Montague Close, London, SE1 9BB
Westminster City Council considers relaxing licensing laws during Olympics
Wed 26 Jan 2011
Westminster City Council has confirmed it is considering relaxing licensing restrictions during the 2012 Olympic Games.
According to the authority, pubs, bars and other licensed premises could be able to extend their opening hours while the event is underway.
However, the council said this would depend partly on whether Transport for London ensures that public transport in the city also runs for longer.
Councillor Angela Harvey, chairwoman of the council's committee on business and enterprise, added that it is currently looking to "strike an appropriate balance" between a number of different issues.
This, she said, includes helping local companies maximise the business opportunities presented by the Games and supporting the wider residential and business communities while the event is running.
Councillor Harvey added that these must be weighed up alongside meeting "the needs of the Games themselves".
Robert Botkai, a partner at Winckworth Sherwood Solicitors, commented "It will be extremely interesting to see what sort of relaxation Westminster has in mind. Watch this space!"
The British Beer & Pub Association is currently lobbying for a similar relaxation of licensing rules when the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations commence next year.
