The number of new bars and nightclubs in Birmingham city centres entertainment district is to be restricted in an attempt to revitalise its appeal. Under new powers being introduced next year, the city council plans to enforce alco-hol saturation policies in Broad Street as part of a range of measures to tackle drink-fuelled violence which have marred the areas image and deterred potential visitors. Other potential measures include new super taxi ranks with marshals and night buses for revellers. The local authority plans to use the Licensing Act 2003, which comes into effect from February and will see licensing laws become more policy-driven with responsibility for issuing licences transferred from magistrates to the city council. The Act allows bars and nightclubs to apply for unlimited opening hours which the Government hopes will end drunken rowdiness as crowds leave venues at the same time. It will also simplify licensing laws by ensuring landlords only need two licences - one for the premises, the other for the licensee. However some areas, such as Broad Street, will face restrictions on the number of premises licences issued. Jacqui Kennedy, the councils head of trading standards and licensing, said: We are looking at Broad Street having a special saturation policy as we have an area where we need to improve the mix of leisure and entertainment facilities on offer. We do not want to see the area have one type of bar and no restaurants. We will have a special policy for specific areas where we will look at the saturation point and if there are too many bars that have alcohol, we can work with our partners in the police to see if this causes anti-social disorder. We are working very closely with the police to see what other areas may get special policies so that when applications come in they are not automatically granted. Other areas being considered for restrictions include the city centres five entertainment zones, which include Hurst Street and Digbeths Irish Quarter. Sutton Coldfield town centre may also be included if police can prove there is a link between drinking at the local venues and anti- social behaviour. Ms Kennedy, a member of the Broad Street steering group, said the proposals would come into effect after the Acts transitional period ends in November next year. She said she had discussed the plan with colleagues on the steering group, which was set up following concerns that alcohol-fuelled crime on Broad Street was spiralling out of control. Plans for super taxi ranks, attended by marshals, to be launched in November are being considered by the working party, which consists of West Midlands Police officers, Birmingham City Council officials, local traders and taxi bosses. Violent crime in the entertainment district increased by 14 per cent last year and 41 per cent of alcohol-related crime in the city centre happened around Broad Street. Ms Kennedy said she expected pubs to apply for a whole range of closing hours, which will stagger the time that people leave venues. However, there will be no drinking up times under the new law. We are expecting many pubs to introduce chill out hours after the bar closes, so people can leave in their own time, she added. Pub landlords will have to get their old licences transferred before November next year to bring them in line with the new regulations. | 
