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UK pubs now over 24hrs
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| EvilTree |
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/4464284.stm
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Pubs in new 24-hour opening era
Man on street
Ministers say they are launching a crackdown on alcohol-fuelled crime
Round-the-clock drinking in England and Wales is now a reality, after new licensing laws came in force.
More than 1,000 pubs, clubs and supermarkets have been granted 24-hour licences to sell alcohol, according to government figures.
Around 40% of premises applied to vary their licences by either extending their opening by an hour or two or by offering late food and entertainment.
It has led to fears disorder will put more pressure on police and hospitals.
But Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell told BBC Newsnight why she believed the new law was necessary:
"To make it possible for the vast majority of people who drink but who never get into trouble to have more freedom as to when they drink.
"But also, to give the police the powers that they need to tackle the problem we have as a country of alcohol-related crime and violence," she said.
'Stretched' resources
Meanwhile, Home Secretary Charles Clarke said recorded crime was set to rise as police resources targeted alcohol-fuelled offences.
"We are determined to tackle alcohol-related violence and anti-social behaviour in all its forms and crack down on those who encourage it by irresponsible retailing," he said.
Britain's most senior police officer said he was worried his force's resources would be "stretched", particularly in the early hours of the morning.
At last in this country adults are going to be treated like grown-ups and given a little bit of choice about having a social life beyond 11 o'clock at night
Mark Hastings
British Beer and Pub Association
Send us your comments
Met Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair said: "I have made clear that I see anybody who wants a drink at four in the morning as a special interest group and those who are making profits out of it are going to have to pay."
Commander Chris Allison of Scotland Yard said police were concerned there would be a rise in crime.
"The concerns that we have are that people will be able to drink for a longer period of time, they are therefore likely to drink more and therefore may cause more crime and disorder on the streets," he said.
BBC research suggests that around one-third of all licensed clubs, pubs and shops in England and Wales will be able to get open for longer under the new laws.
Of the 375 licensing authorities surveyed, 301 responded in full. BBC News 24 researchers found 60,326 outlets can sell alcohol for longer.
But only 1,121, including 359 pubs and clubs, are getting 24-hour licences.
The BBC survey found:
* There have been 60,326 extensions in hours for selling alcohol - this is from 301 of the 375 authorities, so the final figure will be higher
* 1,121 establishments will have 24-hour licences and of these 359 are pubs or clubs
* South East England has the largest number of approved licences - 10,500
* Some 5,200 extensions have been approved in London - but just 14 pubs or clubs can open for 24 hours
* More than 150 pubs or clubs in the south and west of England gained 24-hour licences, with just eight in the West Midlands.
The survey results came after ministers warned the introduction of more relaxed licensing laws on Thursday was likely to lead to an increase in alcohol related arrests.
Shadow culture secretary Theresa May told BBC News: "The government has got it the wrong way round.
"They should have been doing something about binge drinking before looking at extending the licensing hours."
Meanwhile, Mark Hastings from the British Beer and Pub Association said the result would be a "relatively modest increase in overall licensing hours" with 24-hour opening an "urban myth".
"What we're actually seeing is that at last in this country adults are going to be treated like grown-ups and given a little bit of choice about having a social life beyond 11 o'clock at night," he said. |
I'm so sick from the drink, I need home for a rest...
WOOOO! :D |
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| Surreal JRS |
I'll drink to that! :D
Cheers!  |
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| tatgirl |
| I'm sure Graham will want to move back to the UK once he hears this... |
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| jon jon |
| quote: | Originally posted by tatgirl
I'm sure Graham will want to move back to the UK once he hears this... |
this round is for England and Wales.
But I'm pretty sure Ireland already had loose drinking laws, as well as Scotland. |
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| Jayx1 |
| quote: | But Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell told BBC Newsnight why she believed the new law was necessary:
"To make it possible for the vast majority of people who drink but who never get into trouble to have more freedom as to when they drink.
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Funny how our government believes in the exact opposite. I WISH we had a government that thought this way here. |
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| St_Andrew |
Go UK!
Wish I had a government that thinks like that as well... |
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| infinity HiGH |
| quote: | | "What we're actually seeing is that at last in this country adults are going to be treated like grown-ups and given a little bit of choice about having a social life beyond 11 o'clock at night," he said. |
I wish our government didn't treat us like children :rolleyes: I absolutely hate the fact that I can't buy a beer or 2 for myself when I get off of work at 10.30 because the LCBO/Beer Store close at 9:00PM |
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| Jayx1 |
| quote: | Originally posted by infinity HiGH
I wish our government didn't treat us like children :rolleyes: I absolutely hate the fact that I can't buy a beer or 2 for myself when I get off of work at 10.30 because the LCBO/Beer Store cloase at 9:00PM |
then vote to change the government.... ask questions of local leaders and vote accordingly. |
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| infinity HiGH |
| quote: | Originally posted by Jayx1
then vote to change the government.... ask questions of local leaders and vote accordingly. |
maybe i will...maaaaaaybe i will
whatever happend to that idea they were talking about a while ago, to let any store that is interested, to sell alcohol? i guess it fell through? |
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| Cal |
Government letting go of the LCBO?
Fat chance, the LCBO pumps billions into Ontario's coffers every year. It's actually the biggest retailer in the world. |
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| Jayx1 |
| quote: | Originally posted by Cal
Government letting go of the LCBO?
Fat chance, the LCBO pumps billions into Ontario's coffers every year. It's actually the biggest retailer in the world. |
Artificially created that way. If the government wanted to be the sole provider of automobiles then that could also be the biggest retailer in the world.
Time to allow choice in the marketplace. |
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| mikester69 |
| quote: | Originally posted by Cal
Government letting go of the LCBO?
Fat chance, the LCBO pumps billions into Ontario's coffers every year. It's actually the biggest retailer in the world. |
That it is!!
They used to have lots fo LCBO's and Beer Stores open until 10 or 11 but thanks to all the pressure from MADD, our favourite interest group, theyve been changing all of them to 9 |
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