WHETHER the number of city centre bars where drinkers mostly stand up should be held to stricter licensing policies by the council will go before the public before it is made official.

Worcester City Council has recommended it changes its policy to limit the number of “vertical drinking establishments,” looking to open between midnight and 6am, it grants licences to in a bid to put a stop to irresponsible drinking and increased alcohol-related crime.

Late-night takeaways would also be held to the stricter rules.

The city council’s environmental health and licensing committee agreed to an eight-week consultation on the proposed changes on Monday (December 9).

Councillor Simon Cronin said he was “absolutely 100 per cent supportive” of limiting the policy to pubs, bars and restaurants opening between midnight and 6am.

“It takes out of our focus so many places that we have been previously focusing on unnecessarily and I think is exactly where this policy needs to be developed,” he said.

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According to Public Health figures from last year, there are almost 11 premises selling alcohol per square kilometre in Worcester – nearly 10 times higher than the national average.

The council’s review of its licensing policy found that the majority of bars and clubs that had very few or no seats were associated with the majority of crime and disorder. Takeaways serving food after 11pm also saw a lot of crime and disorder.

Sgt Paul Smith said some of the biggest issues in the city centre were drunk people congregating outside takeaways and fast food restaurants in The Cross which often led to disorder. He said the police was not “picking on or singling out” particular restaurants but some needed to be highlighted as they were not being run as sensibly as they should have been.

“We’re not here to wield a big stick,” he said. “We genuinely want Worcester to be somewhere where people can come and visit and the cumulative impact zone (CIZ) is a tool for us to ensure that businesses are run responsibly.”

Police said the number of licensed bars, restaurants, clubs and takeaways in close proximity with each other is clearly linked to increased levels of crime and disorder.

The zone plays an important part of the process when the council decides on whether to grant licenses.