New pubs, clubs and bars are to be banned from a seaside resort over fears it will become the stag party capital of the south.

Escalating drunken violence and vandalism in Eastbourne town centre has left police and hospital staff stretched to the limit.

Councillors are concerned the town could become a downmarket party place if more late-night revellers flood in to get drunk.

Now Eastbourne Borough Council has decided to make it much harder for venues to extend their opening hours - and effectively stopped any new clubs opening.

The ban covers a half a mile square zone in the town centre which already contains 37 licensed pubs and clubs - more than half of the total for the whole of Eastbourne.

During the last six years, 28% of all crime and 44% of public violent attacks in Eastbourne took place in the zone.

Council leader David Tutt said: "We are not looking to become another Bournemouth in terms of clubland.

"We don't want to turn into a town which is a magnet for stag and hen parties.

"We are not trying to stop nightclubs operating in the town but we believe it has possibly reached saturation point."

The area affected includes Bolton Road, Susans Road, Seaside Road, Pevensey Road, Terminus Road and part of Grand Parade.

More than half of all violent crime in the zone is committed between 10pm and 3am. Elsewhere in the town, a quarter of all violent crime is committed during the same period.

Eastbourne inspector Nick Porter said: "The night time economy in Eastbourne is the second biggest to Brighton along the coast of Sussex.

"It really has got to the stage where we are at saturation point in terms of licensing establishments, especially pubs and clubs.

"There is a level of crime and disorder at night so it really is a step forward for people who want to socialise in a safe manner."

The accident and emergency department at Eastbourne District General Hospital (DGH) is swamped with victims of drunken attacks on Friday and Saturday nights.

During the last six years, 43% of ambulance call outs were sent to victims of assault and trauma which took place in the zone.

Utham Shanker, an accident and emergency consultant at Eastbourne DGH, said: "Alcohol-related incidents do form a significant proportion of our work, particularly in the weekends and evenings.

"We get an increase in alcohol-related injuries, assaults and overdoses."

Premises which apply for a new licence will have to prove they will help reduce crime.

The licensing committee will reject applications if they would create disorder and a public nuisance.

Kareen Plympton, the council's licensing manager, said: "The aim is to ensure the town is a well-managed and vibrant place to visit.

"It doesn't stop people applying for a licence and in some instances the licensing committee could find in favour of the application."

The cumulative impact policy is supported by Eastbourne Hospitality Association.

Chairwoman Heidi Cowderoy said: "It is probably better there are not tonnes and tonnes of pubs springing up all over the place.

"Eastbourne shouldn't be going down the stag and hen-do route."

But Anna Belsey, 20, who was mayoress of Eastbourne last year, said not all licence applications should be ruled out.

She said: "If a bar opened which was different to any others it would probably attract a whole different type of clientele.

"I think people think it is a lot worse than it is. I have walked home many times and never felt scared.

"I have spent three years going out in town and have probably seen only two fights."

A cumulative impact strategy is also expected to be approved in Brighton and Hove later this year. Hastings and Worthing have not made any similar plans.

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