Fears rise that Bristol’s city centre could become a ‘ghost town’

Fears are rising that large parts of Bristol city centre could become a “ghost town” after councillors dropped the shutters on new licensed premises.

Licensing committee members rejected a plea from beleaguered pubs, bars and entertainment venues to delay a decision reinstating a cumulative impact assessment (CIA) covering a central zone from the harbourside up to Park Row, Upper Maudlin Street and Stokes Croft.

Bristol At Night panel had urged them to wait until the impact of the pandemic was clear amid an “exodus” of businesses.

But the committee agreed unanimously on Monday to approve reintroducing the CIA on the advice of Avon & Somerset Police who say the area remains at saturation point with late-night establishments.

It means any new applications for licensed premises, or extensions of operating hours for existing ones, in the area will be much less likely to be granted.

However, Bristol City Council officers admitted they would not find out for at least a year that a venue had been forced to shut permanently as a result of the economic crisis, sparking fears that the thriving area could be left with vacant properties.

The area to be covered by Bristol City Centre cumulative impact assessment agreed by licensing committee members on March 8. Image: Bristol City Council

Leighton DeBurca, co-chairman of Nightwatch, which represents Bristol’s nighttime economy, said after the meeting: “The new city centre CIA will create a ghost town.n It is a barrier to investment in the 24-hour economies, both culturally and economically.

“Affecting equality of opportunity and social mobility this move will hit Bristol people’s livelihoods hard during the biggest economic challenge in generations.”

A report to councillors said Bristol At Night, a collective representing bars, clubs and the music, arts and cultural scene, wanted them to wait until the end of the year before making a decision.

In a statement submitted during public consultation on the proposed CIA in September and October 2020, the organisation said: “The effects of lockdown and the ever-changing rules have resulted in destination venues, such as music/concert, theatres, cinemas and nightclub premises, having to close or provide drastically restricted offers.

“Other hospitality businesses have had to scratch a living where they can from those people remaining and willing to go out, albeit with reduced capacities and fewer permitted activities.

“Self-employed people in the creative spaces, along with the staff in these businesses, have borne the brunt of the crisis. It is impossible to estimate how many of these businesses will survive.

“Already there are significant insolvencies and restructures of well-known hospitality and retail offers and this is expected to increase.

“This will likely lead to the permanent shuttering of businesses in city centres and lapses of premises licences when they go.”

Leighton DeBurca raised concerns regarding the zone, which he says will massively impact entertainment venues. Photo: Giulia Spadafora/Soul Media

DeBurca added: “The reality therefore is that whatever evidential case there was for a city centre cumulative impact zone prior to Covid and the recession, it is no longer relevant to the economic situation faced now.

“At the end of this ‘perfect storm’ there are likely to be fewer operators, fewer licences, fewer people living in the city, fewer people coming into the city, fewer workers.

“Our proposal is to pause now and recommence the consultation once the outcomes of this unique period in history are better understood.”

But senior licensing officer Carl Knights told the meeting that 71 per cent of respondents to the consultation agreed with the proposed CIA, which is the same as the previous one apart from the exclusion now of Broadmead.

He said: “The evidence shows the area does have a high number of incidents, crime and disorder, public nuisance and risk to public safety.

“These are linked to the significant concentration of alcohol-led late-night venues. Clearly the data relates to the time when people were going out before the pandemic hit.

“We obviously don’t know the full impact of Coivd-19 or how that will impact the licensed trade.”

Some worry for the economic future of venues located within the zone. Photo: Mike Evans

Knights said the number of premises licences surrendered or lapsed were lower between April 2020 and February 2021 than during the same period 12 months earlier.

“That said we don’t always become aware of lapsed licences,” he said. “Often we don’t become aware until up to 12 months after the event because there is no automatic notification period.

“So while we know premises are struggling from the pandemic, we simply don’t know how many licences might cease to exist or how many licensed premises will reopen once the lockdown is lifted.”

But he said there was no evidence that the previous crime levels would not return after lockdown.

Councillor Eleanor Combley said: “The police provided really solid evidence of the need for a CIA in the city centre and as a licensing authority we have a responsibility to weigh heavily on this.”

Councillor Chris Windows said: “It’s helpful to have a CIA in the centre of the city.

“It doesn‘t mean you have to refuse an application but it means you have to give it a lot more consideration.”

Adam Postans is a local democracy reporter for Bristol.

Main photo: Shotaway

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