Residents and business owners in Great Yarmouth have just four days left to provide their views on proposed changes to the way licences are granted in the town. The consultation, run by Great Yarmouth Borough Council, closes on Friday, 16 January 2026.
The council is considering the introduction of a Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) for the town centre and surrounding areas under the Licensing Act 2003. The assessment would examine whether the number or concentration of licensed premises is contributing to negative effects such as noise, crime, anti-social behaviour, or public nuisance. Its primary aim is to help the council meet legal obligations related to crime prevention and public safety.
Councillor Paul Wells, portfolio holder for Environment and Sustainability, Licensing and Waste, said: ”Our residents have repeatedly made it clear that anti-social behaviour and feeling safe in the town centre are key issues. We and the police have significant concerns about crime, disorder and public nuisance. A CIA would be a strong statement of intent about our approach to considering applications for the granting and variation of licences in the specified area.”
Under the proposed system, applicants for new or varied licences would need to demonstrate that their premises would not contribute to disorder or public nuisance in the designated area. Councillor Wells emphasised the importance of public input before any decisions are made.
”Whether you live, work, run a business or spend time in the town centre, your feedback is valuable in helping us understand how licensing affects the area,” he said. ”Working with data provided by Norfolk Constabulary, public health and the town centre Business Improvement District, there is evidence to suggest that offences and hospital admissions with links to alcohol are an issue within this area. But ahead of any decision, public feedback will help guide our thinking on whether this might be an appropriate course of action for the council to pursue.”
The consultation survey is available online and takes only a few minutes to complete. Residents are encouraged to make their voices heard before the deadline on Friday, 16 January.
