Tunstall booze ban rids streets of yobs and drinkers
A BOOZE ban has led to a fall in anti social behaviour according to traders.
Police have confiscated alcohol from 26 individuals on 41 separate occasions since the ban in areas of Tunstall was introduced in March.
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RULES: The alcohol restriction zone includes Tunstall's Victoria Park.
Business owners say the restrictions have had a positive impact on the atmosphere of the town centre.
Tunstall Chamber of Trade chairman Bill McDonald said: "The ban has certainly made all the difference to shoppers.
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"I think most of the traders in the centre would agree that it is a major improvement."
Mr McDonald said in the past, traders had experienced problems with groups of drinkers, particularly around Tunstall Market.
He said: "It was quite intimidating to walk past groups of people drinking, it was off-putting for shoppers.
"It didn't make for a very nice atmosphere but it seems to have improved a great deal since the ban.
"There is a danger of letting standards slip, but it is up to the police to enforce it and hopefully they will continue to do so."
The alcohol restriction zone (ARZ) gives police extra powers to deal with alcohol-related problems.
In the 12 months to the end of November 2011, police received reports of 229 incidents, including anti social behaviour, in Tower Square, High Street and the adjoining streets.
The problems led to the Chamber of Trade to present an 800-name petition to Stoke-on-Trent City Council and the ARZ was approved in February.
Market traders agree that there has been a noticeable improvement since the ban was introduced.
Hazel Speakman, who has run Fabric Lane Curtains in the market for four years, said: "It used to be quite bad outside the market with groups of people who had clearly been drinking or taking drugs.
"It was very intimidating to elderly people especially.
"You still get people stealing now and then but that's just a sign of the time rather than the drinkers."
Stall trader, Anthea Edwards who runs Message in a Bottle, said she has had fewer incidents with drunk and disorderly customers since the ban.
She said: "We have had perhaps one man come in who was clearly drunk, but apart from that there have been fewer incidents in the market place itself.
"It's just a nicer atmosphere if there aren't groups of people drinking around the place. I wouldn't want to see the ban lifted."
The ARZ does not make it illegal to drink alcohol in the town centre, but gives police greater powers to confiscate alcohol and arrest people causing problems.
Prosecutions could result in a fine of up to £500. The zone takes in the town centre, Tunstall Park and the Bankeyfields estate.
Councillor Janine Bridges, cabinet member for community safety, said: "As part of our Mandate for Change we pledged to make Stoke-on-Trent a great place to live, to attract new business and to support and develop existing businesses.
"The Alcohol Restriction Zone in Tunstall has gone a long way to helping us to achieve these aims."
Comments
by Killuminati
Friday, January 04 2013, 3:02PM
“Warren, does that mean that everybody drinking outside the pubs have no respect either? Oldman salt, I think that to drink your beers at home should be your choice entirely as it wouldnt offend me in the slightest if you didnt”
by Anon_mow_cop
Friday, December 28 2012, 10:28PM
“In Tunstall this week only to see 2 blokes outside the market downig super-strength lager in view of all.”
by warren-lloyd
Friday, December 28 2012, 7:49PM
“Well said oldmansalt, most have respect for the areas they live in as to drink in the streets. Everyone as a home, or should have, so why do idiots drink in the streets anyway, just a set of wasters if you ask me. If people are drinking in the pubs, at least they are drinking in a controlled way. many people don't want to see drunk fools drinking even more in public.”
by oldmansalt
Friday, December 28 2012, 4:38PM
“Killuminati, i think you are missing a point here, as a pensioner I cannot afford pub prices and buy my beer from the supermarket. What I don't do however is open them and drink them on the way home.”
by hasod
Friday, December 28 2012, 3:41PM
“I bet this will make a great difference , dont think so . Wont make any difference . I am sure if someone wants to open a can they will do . That law is impossible to uphold .”
by Killuminati
Friday, December 28 2012, 2:20PM
“How can this be fair that people are punished for drinking outside when you clearly have crowds of people balling and shouting outside the wheatsheaf and sneyd arms to name a few? I see this as victimising drinkers who cannot afford pub prices”