As a musician, and a punter, I have spent far more than my fair share of time in and around pubs and bars, and I have also been part-owner of a very successful bar in town, and the problems we have along The Strand at present are a relatively new phenomenon.
There have always been lots of pubs in town, and there has always been a transient crowd going from one place to the other, so maybe it is because they are all concentrated into one small strip that is the problem; as in the past the pubs were spread out all over town: Beach Street, Bar In The Park, Oak and Ale, Abbey Road, St Amand, and Harringtons.
I personally believe the problems in town are caused by the transient people – those moving from bar to bar, looking for the most happening place to go, want to be seen on the scene, or just out looking for trouble.
They are not caused by people inside the bars, or those outside wanting to smoke or drink.
The anti-social problems of fighting and bad behaviour we are facing are not a council problem it is a hospitality industry problem, so why is the council doing something about it when it is none of their bloody business!
Most of the venues and pubs in town know this is a problem, so before council or government come down on them with a big stick, using force and threats of prosecution (oops - too late - they have already involved themselves and put in place some stupid bloody walkway).
Perhaps if the venues in town were to take the initiative and get together and address the problems they are the catalyst of I might be a bit more sympathetic to their current plight, but as it stands, I have no sympathy for them.
For example, perhaps if they held a meeting of all hospitality/bars and came up with a plan, or some solutions like this for example:
"We are all closing our doors at 11 or 12pm (or whatever), if you are not inside here before then, you cannot come in."
You can stay in here till 3am (or whatever it is, but once you are out, you can't come back in). The fenced off areas outside the bars would be included in this area to allow smokers and those in need of fresh air to move in and out.
This would be beneficial on many levels, for example:
-If the bar is empty at 11pm, you can close the doors and go home – save on wages and power.
-Bars would make a point of getting in the best or most popular entertainment to ensure their bar is full by 11pm.
-They would make more and better attempts at publicising their up and coming events, bands, acts etc.
-Bands DJs and bar staff would all be playing to a full house instead of half empty bars due to transients.
-The only people on the streets would be those on their way home, or those kicked out of bars for bad or drunken behaviour.
I am sure the pub venues and owners would have the cooperation of the council and the police to make their town and their jobs easier (you would think) and they would have their respect for using their initiative in attempting to fix a problem they all know they have and have created.
This would not be compulsory participation, but perhaps all the venues participating could have some kind of incentive
My advice to the bars in town is to, "do it yourself, and call the shots", before, "they" do it to "you".

PS: I wrote this months back before council imposed their walkway idea upon the venues in town and before all the bleating and moaning from the publicans.

What is wrong with you people?

You know your business - why did you sit back until the problem got so bad that they were forced to do something about it?
You have gotten what you deserve, and now you are moaning about it.
A problem has arisen through your own actions, but you expect council and ratepayers to fix it.
All of the venues along The Strand could be creaming it if their owners got their heads together.