LEGAL experts have branded new controls on pubs and nightclubs as a “recipe for chaos”.

Solicitors criticised the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill, which is currently in the House of Lords.

Dorset nightclubs currently have to accept conditions that councillors deem “necessary”.

If the new bill is passed, the conditions only need to be deemed “appropriate”.

Susanna Fitzgerald QC, chairman of the national trade body opposing the bill, said the current system was an “excellent safeguard against the imposition of frivolous or overly onerous conditions” but the new one presents “a real risk of further wholesale closures”.

Solicitor Philip Day from Horsey Lightly Fynn on Poole Road, Bournemouth, said it could lead to variations that are a “recipe for chaos.”

“One example is CCTV,” he said.

“Here in quiet country pubs it’s not a problem, but it would be difficult to say that it was not appropriate to have it.

“The bill will also affect restaurants, off licences, hotels and events like the air festival.

“It could be that people say it it’s more appropriate for the events to have a larger level of security.”

The bill can also force bars to pay a late night levy, regardless of whether they are actually open, and also pay more for their licences.

The nightclub industry in Bournemouth and Poole has already been hit by the recession.

Licensing solicitor Julia Palmer from Wimborne said: “I understand pub closures have slowed a little but it’s still a very difficult economic climate, particularly in Bournemouth where tourism is such an important part of the industry.”

Julia added: “The word ‘appropriate’ is a very wide phraseology, and it could certainly lead to injustice and hardship for an already beleaguered trade.”