Thank you for your letter of 11^th June to the Chair of the Licensing Committee, which has been passed to me for a response.

The Committee were pleased to receive the presentation from yourselves and NOCTIS on proposals for a Best Bar None Scheme to operate in Oldham. This idea was floated about four years ago, but at the time there was a lack of interest from the licensed trade in the Town. We are pleased that interest may now be reinvigorated.

In relation to the ongoing review process, this is a matter for me as the applicant in the process rather than for the Licensing Committee.

I have been pleased to see the very positive response that BBPA and NOCTIS have put forward in response to our applications for the review of premises licences in the Town Centre. There is an obvious and clear commitment from you both to address this situation and to tackle the problems associated with drinks promotions that are irresponsible. I welcome that commitment and can assure you that you are `pushing at an open door' with the Local Authority in tackling this problem in partnership.

However, I am yet to be convinced that you have the premises licence holders with you in the endeavour. I am concerned that, despite the sharp focus that we have brought on drinks promotions in Oldham, the promotions nevertheless are continuing. This Friday, one bar is launching a “All Drinks 90p All Night” offer; another bar is continuing to run a “3 - 4am £1.20 `Power Hour'” promotion, and we have another running a “Treble Your Money - £3 in - £9 worth of drinks” offer. The deeds of the people that you represent do not reflect the wise words that your organisations are offering. That is a serious problem, which I am sure you recognise and share.

As a result of this, I would consider it to be premature to be considering suspending or cancelling the review process. You and I have discussed the very clear objectives that I have set for what we want to achieve with this activity and, given the offers that are running this weekend, I am still clearly some way from achieving those objectives.

Yours sincerely

cc. Paul Smith, NOCTIS

Cllr V Sedgwick, Chair of the Licensing Committee