Councillors were accused of “attacking nightlife and culture” in Kingston after they approved new guidelines for bars and clubs in the borough.

Kingston Council met at the Guildhall last night when councillors gave final approval to the borough’s licensing policy. The plan says anyone opening licensed premises in the next five years must provide a “safe, orderly and attractive environment” for revellers.

The policy was passed by 22 votes to 15, with all Conservative councillors bar one voting for the policy and all Liberal Democrats against. Ruling Conservatives said the “very sensible” new approach could even encourage more bars to open.

Lib Dem councillors tried to pass numerous amendments to the policy at a licensing committee meeting last month.

These included removing a reference to the council wishing to “discourage drunkenness” and encouraging bars and clubs to close at a “suitable time in noise-sensitive areas”.

Lib Dem councillor Jon Tolley said last night: “I think making out drunkenness as if it’s a crime is wrong, I’m recommending that people don’t vote for it.”

He posted on social media later and said the policy was an “attack on nightlife and culture” and not “fit for purpose.”

Read more: Kingston superclub Pryzm agrees to cut capacity by 30 per cent ahead of licence review 

Read more: Club owners warn Kingston over new 'alcohol-led premises' policy

According to documents, 27,000 people in the borough—roughly one third of the adult population—drink to the point they are at increased risk of alcohol-related harm.  

Conservative councillor Ian George said: “The consultation has been extensive.

“What we are proposing is quite frankly very sensible. I expect the licensing policy to encourage many more licensed premises to open.”

Cllr Mike Head, who leads the committee, said: "When it comes up for licensing each case is taken on its merits at the moment.

"I think it sets out were the borough wants to be on its licensing."

Council leader Kevin Davis said: “This licensing policy has been going on almost since this council was formed in 2014.

“If [the Lib Dems] had things they wanted to address they could have said them at any point.”

Concerns had also been raised at a prior meeting as to whether the consultation into the policy had engaged with younger residents who “enjoy the current Kingston night time economy”.

Today the council is reviewing the licence for Pryzm, the borough’s biggest nightclub, after Kingston police requested a review due to staff allegedly failing to properly report crimes such as assault and sexual assault.