A NIGHTCLUB owner has sounded the alarm about a plan to drop the requirement on councils to publicise venue licensing applications in local newspapers.

Tom Williams, one of Herefordshire’s biggest independent venue operators, says the plan – which would mean the public would likely have to search for the notices on council websites – would be in no one’s interest.

Mr Williams, who owns Hogarths bar in Hereford’s Commercial Road and the Trilogy nightclub and Botanic cocktail bar in Blueschool Street, said: “The government’s plan is worrying.

“I fully believe in transparency and accountability when it comes to licensing. These notices are how communities stay informed and have their say – and responsible venues like ours have nothing to hide,” he said.

“Local newspapers provide trusted, transparent platforms where everyone can see what’s happening and respond properly. Hiding that process online would only make things more divisive and less accountable.”

The Government says it is acting on a recommendation by an “industry-led” task force appointed to review the entire venue licensing system.

Its proposal regarding published notices “references limited print circulation and concerns about a lack of consistency in the fees being charged across local media outlets”, it says.

The government adds that its proposed move “will also inform a review of other statutory notices”, which could include those covering local planning applications.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Business Secretary Peter Kyle launched a consultation on the plans on October 9. It closes on November 6.

Society of Editors chief executive Dawn Alford said the government’s plan to scrap the requirement for printed licensing notices “is devastating and fails to recognise the essential role they play in keeping communities informed”.

“Not only will the plans disenfranchise communities, but they will remove a vital revenue stream from the local and regional news industry at a time when the value of accurate and verifiable news and information has never been more important,” she said.

Herefordshire Council announces in the local press and on its own website which licensing applications are currently open for public consultation over a standard 28-day period.

But it has recently stopped publishing the actual applications online, which a spokesperson said was “due to accessibility regulations”.

The applications can still be requested, but replies can take up to ten days.

Concerns over the government’s proposals have also been expressed by Forest of Dean landlord Kevin Williams who runs Archie’s Bar in Lydney, who has said that while he would welcome longer opening hours other proposals are less helpful and has called on the government to ease the pressure on landlords by cutting VAT to allow them to pass savings on their customers.

“The government could reduce how much VAT we pay. ..It’s a lot of money to add on and we’ve got to get that back from the customers who then complain we’re too expensive and they can’t afford to come out because their wages are not rising. If the government dropped the VAT rate, I could reduce some prices and this would benefit the customers.”