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United Kingdom: Pubs, clubs and other drinking venues in England and Wales can apply to stay open 24 hours a day under new laws that come into effect Monday, February 7, according to Associated Press.

Currently, many British drinkers imbibe as much as they can as quickly as they can before pubs shut at 11 p.m. Then heavy drinkers all stumble into the streets at the same time, often leading to fights and other drunken misbehaviour. The government says the new laws will help curb the problem because people will drink in a more relaxed manner and leave at different times.

Although establishments can apply for the extended licences starting Monday, February 7, the new hours won't come into effect in England and Wales until November. Scotland is conducting its own review of licensing laws.

Opposition politicians and many newspapers have criticized the new regulations, saying that 24-hour drinking will add to Britain's culture of boozy behavior.
But culture secretary Tessa Jowell defended the plans, saying few pubs are expected to open around the clock. Although licenced premises can apply to stay open for any time during a 24-hour period, local authorities can limit the hours if nearby residents or the police raise objections. "We are not, and never have, promoted 24-hour drinking - that is a myth," Jowell said. "We are promoting flexible hours to reduce violence at last orders.

"This will put a long-needed end to the double madness of people gulping two or three rounds of drinks to beat last orders and then all being chucked out at the same time," she said. Jowell said the new laws also give police more power to close down premises where the licencees are not complying with their conditions.

A recent poll by the British Beer and Pub Association, which represents more than 30,500 pubs and bars, found that none intended to open for 24 hours, the government said. "The vast majority of people should be treated like the adults they are. It is ridiculous that the government should deny the entire population the right to a drink after 11 p.m.," Jowell said.


09 February, 2005