STAKEHOLDERS, Businesses owners, councillors, and officers from Reading’s night-time economy attended an event in the town centre this week for Pubwatch.
Owners of the town’s venues and other licensees receive regular briefings from consultant and licensing officers from Reading Borough Council to keep them compliant with the Licensing Act of 2003.
On Tuesday, February 25, attendees took part in the seminar at The Market House in Market Place.
Councillor Karen Rowland, Lead Councillor for Environmental Services and Community Safety, opened the seminar and said that the Council was proud of the Evening and Night Time Economy (ENTE) and the work done by licensees and their teams to make Reading a safer place through Pubwatch and the close partnership working with other stake holders.
The course covered inspections, hearing procedures, and safety and welfare initiatives in place such as Street Pastors, Ask for Angela, First Stop First Aid facility, and the benefits of attending WAVE training sessions.
Bill Donne, honorary secretary to Reading Pubwatch, said: “This was the first of two licensing law training sessions and was fully booked.
“Course delegates were drawn from licensed premises across the Borough raised many interesting points about the nuances and interpretation of the Licensing Act.
“Once again, we are grateful to the Business Improvement District for sponsoring the course and for the Council Officers for their input.”
Pubwatch is an opt-in initiative which sees venues and organisations collaborate on keeping customers safe and venues to a high standard in the nighttime economy.
Key stakeholders such as Reading Borough Council, Thames Valley Police, and Business Improvement Districts work with venues, owners, and staff to maintain standards of safety, reduce crime, and to promote best practise for businesses.
