ABINGDON’S Market Place could be brought to life under plans to allow people to enjoy a beer during special events and celebrations.

Under the terms of the licence, alcohol could be sold at the town centre location from Monday to Sunday, 8.30am-5.30pm, but not consumed.

Town councillors on the town’s finances and general purposes committee have agreed to change the terms of the licence so alcohol can be bought – and consumed – in the Market Place during a number of different celebrations throughout the year.

Before the variation of the premises licence goes ahead, councillors on the Vale’s licensing committee will have to approve the proposal to allow the sale and consumption of alcohol in the Market Place from 8.30am-10pm, from Monday to Sunday.

Town council leader Sandy Lovatt said: “Us Brits like our pints and tipples and if we can sell and consume alcohol in the Market Place then that would give us more flexibility in terms of what we can use the square for.

“I want there to be more community activities there and if we get more people coming into the Market Place then that will attract more business.”

Mr Lovatt said he did not expect the change to lead to drunken behaviour as events would be tightly controlled by council licensing officers.

Town clerk Nigel Warner said the application to vary the premises licence would be made to the Vale council in the near future.

Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council Matthew Barber said: “Vale councillors on the licensing committee would speak to police and other interested parties before a decision was made but I would not oppose this out of principle.”