Watching Out For Off-Licences

Off-licences are the latest group to sign up to a Watch scheme.

Every off-licence in the borough has been invited to join Off-Watch and attend a launch event to find out more about the scheme, the benefits to them and hear from licensing officers, Trading Standards and the police.

It has been organised by Hertsmere Borough Council and so far 30 premises have expressed an interest.  Initially Off-Watch will be borough-wide but if more premises join then it could be made more local, with schemes for each different area of the borough.

Cllr Anita Gamble, vice-chair of the Licensing Committee, said: "We have more than 60 off-licences in the borough so I am delighted to launch a scheme which not only provides networking opportunities for small businesses in these difficult times, but will also provide independent traders with training, advice and support."

The scheme will promote opportunities for businesses to share information about potential difficult customers, alert each other to possible problems and to not fall foul of the licensing laws.

Cllr Gamble continued: "We hope that the licensees of premises will take advantage of the scheme and will help them to understand that they are not alone and can provide support to one another."