Bexley Council has officially approved its new licensing policy, set to take effect from 7 January 2026, and remain in place until 6 January 2031. The decision was made at the Licensing Committee meeting held on 15 July 2025, following a consultation period. The policy outlines how the council will regulate the sale of alcohol, provision of regulated entertainment, and late-night refreshment within the borough.
The Licensing Act 2003 requires the council to prepare and publish a statement of licensing policy. The new policy aims to balance the interests of businesses, residents, and the wider community by promoting responsible alcohol consumption and preventing crime and disorder.
The statement of licensing policy includes sections on:
- licensing principles
- licensing objectives
- preventing crime and disorder
- public safety
- preventing public nuisance
- protecting children from harm
- conditions
- cumulative impact and saturation policies
- licensing hours
- outdoor events
- inspection, enforcement and review of licences
- early morning restriction orders
- integration of the licensing policy with other related council strategies
- community safety
- planning and building control
- regeneration and economic development
- transport
- tourism and employment
- culture
- public health
- other key considerations
- promotion of equality
- human rights
- sustainability
- administration and standards of service delivery
- further information and useful contacts
Regarding cumulative impact and saturation policies, the council has decided to retain the saturation policies for Bexleyheath and Welling Town Centres. No other areas in the borough have been identified as being subject to cumulative impact. The boundaries of these saturation areas are detailed in maps available in Appendix A of the Statement of Licensing Policy.
In areas with existing saturation, the council will refuse applications for new licenses or significant changes to existing ones if the changes relate to the saturation policy. Exceptions may be made if the applicant can prove that the premises will not worsen the existing cumulative impact.
The statement of licensing policy also addresses Early Morning Restriction Orders (EMROs). The policy references the power granted to the council in October 2012 to implement EMROs, potentially prohibiting alcohol sales between midnight and 06:00 in specific areas if it aligns with the licensing objectives.
According to the Public Reports Pack, the only comments received during the consultation period were internal, from the Head of Licensing Partnership, Principal Licensing Officer, Licensing Enforcement Officer, Legal Advisor, and Interim Public Health Strategist. Their suggestions were incorporated into the draft policy.
The Agenda for the meeting also included items on apologies for absence, minutes of the previous meeting, declarations of interests, items of late business, and approved minutes of the Licensing Sub-Committee.
