PLANS to enforce stricter citycentre licensing laws to curb crime and antisocial behaviour in Salisbury have been scrapped.

Wiltshire Council consulted city residents in the summer over plans to make the centre a cumulative impact area (CIA) – stopping or limiting new bars and clubs opening and preventing licensed premises from extending their opening hours.

Only 66 people responded, but three quarters of them backed the plans. Now, the council’s licensing committee has ditched the scheme, saying it was “not appropriate at this time” after further analysis showed crime levels in Salisbury were lower than in similar towns and cities like Winchester, Shrewsbury and Kings Lynn.

Chairman of Salisbury Business Improvement District (BID) and owner of the Chapel nightclub Amanda Newbery said a CIA was never appropriate for Salisbury.

“Our partnerships, including Purple Flag, Pubwatch and now BID, are working well and growing in strength,” she said.

A report discussed by the council on December 8 said there was limited evidence that crime was exceptionally high or causing serious problems with nuisance or disorder.

The report said Salisbury had a well-managed and improving night-time economy thanks to a coordinated approach from the police, councils, the BID and Purple Flag, but said addressing crime and antisocial behaviour was a priority.

“The report also said the CIA could hamper economic growth of existing licensed premises, and put “additional burden and costs onto businesses”.

Ms Newbery disagreed, saying the proposals would not particularly affect existing late night businesses but, as a restrictive policy, would “no doubt act as a deterrent to new businesses wanting to start up, particularly those offering early evening food and entertainment”.

“Consequently, any damage may have been to the economic growth that we as a city are working so hard to promote,” she said.

Salisbury City Council agreed the CIA was not currently needed, while Salisbury Area Board was split on the matter. The original proposal was based on the city having higher crime levels than other parts of Wiltshire, but the latest report said this was not a suitable comparison because crime was low throughout the county.

The idea will be reviewed again in a year’s time.