Licensed premises in Weymouth have agreed to further reduce their opening hours following the success of the 5am closures introduced last year.
Late night venues have agreed to close at 4am on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with a permanent commitment to close at 5am on Friday, Saturday and Monday.
The aim is to create a safe place for families and other customers to come and enjoy an evening out in the town, and to prevent the cross-over between night-time revellers leaving pubs and clubs and families wishing to enjoy the seafront in the early hours of the morning.
Weymouth and Portland Safer Neighbourhood Team lead for the night-time economy, Police Sergeant Christine Gould said: “The agreed changes will provide a clear and distinct gap between the night-time economy and those using the town during the day.
“I am really pleased with the progress that continues to be made through positive negotiation between the police, our partners and the licensing trade, particularly the support and professionalism shown by members of the town Pub Watch scheme.
“I have no doubt that these changes will assist in further reducing anti-social behaviour and violent crime in the town during the hours of darkness.”
The reduction in licensing hours is just one in a series of initiatives that all parties are taking to improve the situation in support of making Weymouth town centre a safe place to visit.
Keith Treggiden, Chair of the Pub Watch scheme, said: “Our members have agreed to lose trading hours in the hope that we can work together to make a safer Weymouth and to try and encourage people to come out earlier.
“We have tried hard over the last 12 months to separate the daytime trade from the night-time and believe that we have been successful in doing this.
“Pub Watch is committed to a safer Weymouth. We are also training our teams in fire safety to keep ready for anything that might occur within their venues.”
Councillor Mike Goodman, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council community safety brief holder, said: “We are very pleased to see partners and the trade working together to further reduce opening hours of the late night venues of Weymouth in their efforts to keep our town centre a safe and an enjoyable place to be.”
