“Proposed changes exclude local people from decisions that affect their daily lives”
Maria was appointed editor of the Liverpool Echo in 2020 having previously worked as head of news and digital.
Keir Starmer’s government is planning a change to alcohol licensing(Image: PA)
Liverpool is famous for its nightlife. It’s why we’re regularly named among the best UK destinations for a city break while our party reputation plays a big part in attracting so many young people to our universities. It’s why we are always spoiled for choice when looking for the perfect pub to catch up with friends, enjoy a quiz night or watch the football and why there’s always a new place to try.
The Liverpool Echo is a huge supporter of our city region’s night-time economy and the first to appreciate the challenges the hospitality sector faces in the current climate with rising costs and cash-challenged customers.
A quick browse of our vibrant What’s On platform shows how the Echo truly champions new ventures and the sadness when old favourites feel the pinch and close their doors.
We truly love Liverpool and are proud to see our night-time economy flourish outside the city centre. From old favourites like Lark Lane and Waterloo’s St John’s Road to the burgeoning bar scene in New Brighton and the rebirth of Walton Vale it’s great to see local venues both survive and thrive.
It’s why we back some of the sensible proposals to support the hospitality industry recommended by the government’s Licensing Taskforce as part of its review of the Licensing Act 2003.
However, as a news brand, as well as celebrating everything our city has to offer, we are committed to keeping our print readers and online audience informed about what’s happening in the communities we call home.
That’s why plans to scrap laws requiring alcohol licensing notices to be published in printed local newspapers such as the Liverpool Echo are a real concern.
Launched on October 9 by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and business secretary Peter Kyle the proposals mean plans to open a new pub or nightclub, or for an existing venue to change its opening hours, would no longer be publicised within our communities.
I love my local pub but I’d want to know if it was planning to extend its opening hours because I might have something to say. And these changes really do remove our right to know what is happening on our doorsteps and exclude local people from decisions that affect their daily lives.
Because these notices give residents a voice on new venues opening up, changes to licensing hours, or proposed developments that may impact local amenities. Axing them will have a huge impact on accountability in local decision-making.
We know the Liverpool Echo is a lifeline and a trusted source for many readers who choose to buy our newspaper – not just for articles on news and sport but for the births, marriages and deaths and the information found in our public notices section.
It’s why we joined forces with other publishers to launch a Public Notices Portal so our vast online audience has access to the same vital information that can impact their lives.
And it’s why Liverpool Echo journalists report from licensing hearings revealing the safety concerns which led to a venue opposite Everton’s new Hill Dickinson stadium being denied an alcohol licence, how a Liverpool bar compared to a “school disco gone wrong” was stripped of its licence after selling alcohol to 16-year-olds and why a brawl outside a Seaforth pub saw its licence temporarily suspended.
The Liverpool Echo will be fighting these proposals. Not because we don’t support our hospitality sector, we do. Pubs, like news brands, play a huge part in community cohesion.
But we believe our readers have a right to know what’s happening where they live, which is why we’re telling ministers they must change course and commit to keeping public notices in highly trusted local newspapers like the Echo.