Backbench councillors have questioned the worth of a major consultation the town hall carried out to shape its new licensing policy for pubs and clubs.

The three-month survey, which 2,242 people responded to, was done early last year – but Hackney’s Overview and Scrutiny Commission isn’t sure it’s any use.

“This is in relation to the unrepresentative nature of the survey sample, both in terms of its demographic make-up and also it being very heavily comprised of current users of the night time economy,” chair Cllr Sharon Patrick wrote in a report to cabinet.

Cllr Patrick pointed out 72 per cent of people who responded used the night-time conomy.

The cabinet has responded by saying the survey will not “directly shape” the licensing policy, and it has removed comments suggesting it would. The response also said further analysis of people who do not visit pubs and clubs had been done.