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Published 6 Jul 2010 10:00
THE dire health and crime levels associated with drink in some areas of Dumbarton and the Vale have sparked plans to cap the number of alcohol licences.
A report was prepared for the area's Licensing Board which shows that the number of deaths linked to alcohol is more than twice the national average in the worst affected spots.
Renton is one of those where there is an above average number of off licences and alcohol related hospital admissions and deaths, while the crime rate is also above the average rate for the Strathclyde area.
However, this link not as clearly demonstrated everywhere.
For example, in Dumbarton West, which takes in Brucehill, Dennytown and Kirktonhill, alcohol related deaths and alcohol related hospital admissions are more than twice the Scottish average - while the number of off licences is average.
At Wednesday's meeting of West Dunbartonshire's Licensing Board, councillors voted to consult on the possibility of capping the number of off licences and bars in certain areas.
The move has been welcomed by those in the pub trade and the police.
Michael McHugh, who is vice president of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) and also owns two bars in West Dunbartonshire, said: "The SLTA has advocated that no more licences be issued.
"If they are continually issuing licences then they are watering down the local situation.
"It increases the problem because people are fighting harder and doing sillier things to try and get business."
Restaurants, nightclubs, adult entertainment venues and hotel bars used mainly by guests will not be included in the consultation, as pubs, off licences, supermarkets and hotel bars used a lot by the general public will be the main focus.
The police, the NHS and Environmental Health will all be included in the exercise.
This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 06 Jul 10
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