COUNCILLORS will be asked to back plans to impose tougher rules on new pubs, bars and restaurants in the centre of York.

Plans for a redrawn and widened “cumulative impact zone” (CIZ), meaning applications for new licensed premises must be considered in the context of crime and antisocial behaviour across the city-centre, will be debated at Thursday’s meeting and are recommended for approval.

The new zone, extended to cover Back Swinegate, Fossgate and Goodramgate, has been requested by North Yorkshire Police, which believes the city-centre now has as many pubs and bars as it can accommodate.

The force has also warned that, without the new CIZ, more supermarkets and off-licences could open in the city-centre, adding to alcohol-fuelled crime.