Bilbobobby

Basmati was closed for other reasons - mainly a contract issue between the tenant and the brewery. It's no longer a licensed property, Have you ever looked twice at the various car cleaning groups across the city and wondered who the workers are? What about the early morning commercial/shop cleaners or care home/carers ? I'm not saying any are abused due to their residential or employment status as the vast majority do provide a worthwhile service and support the economy, but....checks by employers have to be done to ensure all have the right paperwork...it's not difficult whatsoever. HT report employment at a high in the county with numerous vacancies that can't be filled. It's disappointing that only a few have read/posted on this thread - the same can be said about my last posting. Without a healthy debate on issues that impact on the county, this 'voice' seems to be a gentle whisper into the wind instead of the vibrant chatter of views that it was and the reason why I joined..Colin is promoting and pushing it's existence and we should all do our bit to help as well

You will have seen in the HT that the police & UK Border Agency have 'visited' 2 restaurants in the county. This is not new and to get a better understanding of what is being done and what can be done, I'll explain - All non UK or EU residents have to have the right to stay in a member country and depending on their status the entitlement to work or study. If they don't they commit offences mainly under the Immigrant Act 2006. If employed the employer commits a civil offence enforced by the Border Agency with a civil fine of 10k to 20k depending on the status of the employee. Still with me ? If employed in a licensed premises such as a pub, club, take-away or restaurant, an interested party such as the police can launch a licensing review with the ultimate sanction of the licence being revoked. This has happened locally, but normally the licence will be changed to allow conditions to be attached that ensure all immigrantion checks are done. If not a licenced premises - some restaurants do not sell alcohol or provide hot food after 11pm, from a licensing stance nothing can be done. The new Immigrantion Act going through parliament does strengthen the law. This new act also seeks to tackle landlords who rent out to illegal immigrants. This is on top of tackling others who also employ illegals Top of the iceberg is some people's view. Perhaps but its a start. If you know if this is happening, instead of moaning or turning a blind eye tell the authorities. As they say, Rome wasn't built in a day so wait and watch if you do show your civil committment and tell someone

Interesting debate taking place on the HT website about councils being asked how they would house Syrian refugees. Perhaps this forum should debate this I'll start - totally agree each and every country and their various local councils/authorities should provide safe havens and ultimately a new life to those who are genuine refugees - big question is how do you distinguished between genuine cases and others such as economic migrants. Seeing what is happening across Europe I think thankfully we are an island and do have a chance of putting in some control measures/borders but its a major problem of these times and Europe's governments can't cope

Pan pipe players outside All Saints do tend to scatter the usual crowd..but it begs the question what IS the actual attraction to this particular area for this group of people?...shops? possibly some..for alcohol, legal highs or places to sell perhaps?. Any views/ideas

If you research the HT or court results you will see the police have obtained 3 criminal behaviour orders for anti social behaviour including begging in an aggressive manner. One of those has been breached and the offender sent to prison (not just because of this). I know there are 2 more similar applications in the court system for begging. So whats my point...I can say that asking for a CBO is not taken lightly and is as the result of every other option being tried and failing. Those who have the orders - where are they from - all are locals, none are from a minority background eg east European and all have cost the tax payer 10's of thousands if not more over the years in benefits, medical treatment and criminal justice costs. Anyone with any sensible ideas on what else can be done please say... Oh chuggers..another group invaded High Town today, what charity they represented I haven't got a clue but an annoying pain to many..me included No buskers in sight today - shame If chuggers are a problem to you please consider lobbying your councillor asking why Herefordshire Council haven't consulted on and introduced a PSPO (answers on a post card regards what this stands for and what it means - if necessary I'll post the lay persons answer)

Have you noticed an increase in 'chuggers' spread 3/4 times a week across the city centre - are they locally regulated, do you get p..s.d off by being ambushed every 50m. Do you support the street buskers who do bring a bit of colour and vibrance to the area (deflecting the bomb site eye sore). Lastly should beggers be tolerated if polite and not the usual suspects who ask for a bit of change and then spend it on drink or drugs. Is Hereford any different to other similar size towns/cities...debate and views - politely and not by pointing the usual finger of blame please...

The CIZ is part of the councils Licensing Policy. The new policy with the new extended CIZ has been approved. The policy is now valid for 5 years (previously 3 years). Limited public and trade representation was made during the consultation period - no-one made any representation about the CIZ. (Wait for the shout I didn't know about it.....) I have checked the council website. The new policy has not been placed on the website - the draft policy is available to view - towards the back is the CIZ section with the mapped zone that was requested and has been approved as the area covered by the CIZ.

My mistake - problem with typing and not wearing my specs... Late night refreshment is 2300hrs (11pm) to 0500hrs (5am). That is the only time that a licence for food is required. Incidentially I am aware of a number of venues who want to extend their hours to sell hot food, I also know they have been given good support advice and guidance on how to go about it - this advice and guidance if followed will not doubt satisfy the police.. I am also aware of one place who sells cold food late at night, who want to sell hot food - they I know have been given the same positive advice However as at this time NO-ONE has actually stepped up to the mark and made an application. Remember the city centre is covered by a special licensing policy due to the concentration of licensed premises etc (look up S182 Licensing Act 2003 guidance to get a better understanding). This basically means that applicants have to show how they will promote the licensing objectives and not undermine this policy - ask the various venues who have either been granted later hours or a new licence for details. It is not an impossible task to get a later licence...

The hoops are not the councils - they are the law of the land. Ms Barrow does not want to sell hot food - her choice and decision. She has been advised that she does not need a licence to sell cold food - application withdrawn. She can stay open 24/7 if she chooses but can only sell cold food between 11pm an 5pm. Not the councils rules - its the law of the land, put in place by law makers and MP's who were elected by the likes of you and I - democratic decision....

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Watch this space....at least 2 venues looking to sell food later....

The city centre needs clubs with later hours to attract locals and most importantly visitors. However this needs to be balanced with the right control measures that ensure the club is a safe place to be. Previously posters have sarcastically responded to this phrase. Its the law so it has to be done to be safe. The club and other nearby locations - including The Venue are within a designated area which has a high concentration of all types of licensed premises. So extra scrutiny is required to these applications. Its about promoting the licensing objectives and not undermining the policy covering this specific area. Also before its thrown back at me - the law is the law and it has to be adhered to. If you don't like it lobby your MP or local councillors or even stand for local election. I know the police will speak to applicants - as will the council - to offer advice. Look at the recent granted applications such as The Venue & Yates. Support your local businesses of all types.

This type of activity is rife - not only in the city, but at other locations across the county and even wider. Without the courts accepting the seriousness of the offence and applying a harsh punishment it will continue.

I promised myself that I would not post on this thread again...lasted longer than I expected. Bottom line plenty of enquiries to ask what is an acceptable later hour for hot food...but STILL no applications made. Getting a later licence is the first step..being compelled to use it all the time is not compulsory -ask the many pubs who close early when trade is dire...its becoming a roundabout with the ever increasing nervous operators too scared to get off!

The problems being encountered in Hereford are no different to what other town's & cities are having these days. Its about supply and demand with customers being more choosy with regards to what they want and expect from the trade. Fusion closing is more about Play giving more choice of entertainment - (its NOT a fight club as described by others). Jail House closing is about cost (interesting that these 2 and a 3rd venue The Moorfields are all owned/operated by the same chap). I know venues in surrounding counties are also struggling but interestingly not those who provide a good ale (Barrels & Beer in Hand) or good food and a friendly atmosphere. Nationally more pubs are opening than closing...so what hereford licensing venues doing wrong..and don't blame the authorities as its not their fault...

Licensing hearing 08 December 2014, despite objections from both the police and Trading Standards, the committee granted a licence for this venue. Disappointing.

Today the council licensing committee granted an alcohol licence to this shop despite objections from both the police and trading standards. Licence granted once applicant produces a lease to show he is legally responsible for the running of the shop. Disappointing.

I'll leave this forum alone as it is not achieving anything, is going round in circles and will be discussing the same old - same old - rhetoric way into 2015.

I agree with Aylestone Voice. Somebody should make an application follow the principles needed to address the law ans see how it goes. McD's don't have the bottle to do it, if they had they would have appealed the refusal back in 2012 and would have likely won! The had a barrister presenting their case - a supposed licensing expert - against the police licensing officer...to prosternate and moan achieves nowt! Someone out there needs to apply..

Under-age sales operations are costly and have to be 'intelligence lead' meaning visits should not be random. The are run/organised by Trading Standards with the police assisting. Pubs and clubs have been targeted before with a number of failures. Those who fail do get revisited and if they fail again...prosecution and licensing review follow. The important factor when doing these operations is to ensure the safety of the young person who try to buy alcohol (they are scripted to be honest if asked their age or whether they have any ID. The triage being set up is a massive plus for this county. Its a place of safety for the drunken and emotional few who need help when out and about. It will reduce demand on the emergency services - especially A&E and the ambulance service. Street Pastors are medically trained to a high standard. So embrace and support the concept. .

The CIZ is part of the council's Licensing Policy. The CIZ is something requested by the police to deal/manage the concentration of all types of licensed premises and the potential for crime & disorder. The policy is about to go to the council regulatory committee for discussion and hopefully approval. It has been subject to wide public consultation with very little responses received - including any objections to extending the CIZ. Whilst a lot of the eateries are within the CIZ, there is NO blanket policy to prevent hot food being sold later than 0130hrs. What has to be shown by any applicant is how they will promote the licensing objectives through proper management of the venue & how they can show that having the venue open later will NOT impact or undermine the licencing objectives. There is a skill in delivering this - its not the job of a lay person, but of someone who knows licensing law. As at this time no one has applied for a (in the CIZ) late food licence later than 0130hrs. Why? I would hazard a guess there is no real demand for it!

When was the last time you saw council environmental enforcement officers - (Not traffic wardens). What do they actually do? No doubt someone will come back with a detailed response explaining 'everythunk'

Perhaps lobbying the collection of councillors who represent the city centre is the best approach. They bang on about representing the shops and businesses in the city but are silent on chuggers and unlicensed street seasonal traders.

Level playing field for all. Charge a reasonable rate and ensure they are located in a place where they are not an obstruction to others. I for one will expect them to get out if my way if blocking the pavement - this is very relevant to people with pushchairs, walking young children, elderly and don't forget wheelchair users