Good idea,Bad idea,or just interfering?

PUBS and clubs could be banned from opening in Tyneside's poorest neighbourhoods because council bosses fear the unemployed are drinking too much.
Calls have been made for a change in drink laws which would make it harder to open a bar or an off-licence in areas with high unemployment.
Gateshead Council has led efforts to convince ministers they need a “tough love� approach to help tackle alcohol-related crime and ill health.
The Government asked Gateshead and other councils what changes they want to see as part of a review of licensing powers.
And Tyneside’s leaders have made it clear they should be allowed to tell would-be landlords and landladies they will not be allowed to open up in areas with high unemployment and low life expectancy.

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I think it's a step too far .I recognise that there is a problem with under age drinking but i don't think this is the way to tackle it,making it illegal to drink under 18 or even 21yrs would be more practical

[Gary L]

Drinking is legal. you can't be selective in what adults are allowed to drink. you don't let them think they can dictate as to who is allowed to drink even.

they'll be wanting to ban McD's and fish and chip shops in the fat areas, if they get their way with this one.

Originally Posted by Gary L

Drinking is legal. you can't be selective in what adults are allowed to drink. you don't let them think they can dictate as to who is allowed to drink even.

they'll be wanting to ban McD's and fish and chip shops in the fat areas, if they get their way with this one.

That may sound daft but it is the same principle

[Derek]

Bad idea. If people are problem drinkers they are far more likely to drink at home than in pubs.

Bad idea.

On a (very) related note, the advert on newpaper's web page in the middle of the story was quite apposite, I thought....

Originally Posted by Derek

Bad idea. If people are problem drinkers they are far more likely to drink at home than in pubs.

well this idea is meant to tackle the number of off licences as well ,i think the reasoning behind it is that children are too lazy to travel any distance for their booze

Again those who are responsible drinkers get their liberties curtailed because of a small minority or what I call a moronity..

Originally Posted by Hugh

Bad idea.

On a (very) related note, the advert on newpaper's web page in the middle of the story was quite apposite, I thought....

That is a actually a good point Hugh,Newcastle council hand out licences like confetti in the town center ,Friday Saturday ,Sunday is like a war zone in the Bigg market and the Gate ,so i think they are employing a few double standards .They don't mind telling unemployed people or those on low incomes that they drink too much and face having their local offy closed whilst at the same time catering for drunk yobbos in the town center because they can command big business rates from the bars