Cumulative Impact Policies

TV Edwards can provide you with expert advice on Cumulative Impact Zones.

I enjoyed working with TV Edwards who gave us some great advice and always kept us updated on the application’s progress. I am really pleased with the outcome.

Director – Astons Food

Many local authorities now have designated areas within their boroughs which are subject to Cumulative Impact Policies (CIP). These areas, often known as Cumulative Impact Zones (CIZ) or Special Policy Areas (SPA) are usually identified in a local authority’s Statement of Licensing Policy. It has been estimated that there are around 200 or so of these areas in England and Wales.

These are areas where the local authority has decided that there are serious issues of crime, nuisance and disorder and that these problems are related to the number, type and density of licensed premises in the area. Statements of Licensing policy often talk of areas being ‘saturated’ with licensed premises. Examples of areas we often deal with at TV Edwards are Brick Lane and Bethnal Green Cumulative Impact Policies in Tower Hamlets, Dalston and Shoreditch Special Policy Area in Hackney and Borough and Bankside in Southwark.

If your premises is situated on one of these areas and you are applying for new licence or applying to vary an existing licence, then it is likely that there will be a presumption that your application will be refused. This presumption can be rebutted, but the onus is on the applicant to show that if granted, the application will not add to the cumulative impact of licensed premises in the area.  

Put bluntly, it will be more difficult to make a successful application in these areas and you are more likely to succeed if you have expert advice on how to proceed.

How we can help in Cumulative Impact Zones

If you are applying for a premises licence or seeking to vary an existing licence for a premises in a cumulative impact zone, then you will need help. We have successfully negotiated in Cumulative Impact Zone areas for many applications and have a track record of getting applications granted in CIP areas. It can be hard work, but being in a CIP is not a bar to a successful application if your advisor knows how to successfully navigate the process.

Recent Cases

• Bethnal Green Cumulative Impact Policy – Convenience store and off-licence
• Southwark Cumulative Impact Zone – office bar and entertainment space
• Brick Lane Cumulative Impact Zone – Restaurant
• Borough and Bankside Cumulative Impact Zone – Roof Top Bar
• Hackney Special Policy Area – take away

Our Licensing Fees

Our Licensing fees vary depending on the complexity of each case. Every case is different. Some applications will be very straightforward whist others might be extremely complex. Factors will include whether the licence sought is for a premises in a cumulative impact zone, whether the application deviates from local authority policies, whether local objections are anticipated and how novel or unusual the application is. Further information on our Licensing fees can be found here. Contact us today for a no obligation estimate of our fees in your case.