Applications open for all-day drink licences

From Monday, pubs and clubs can start applying for the all-day drink licences that will be introduced later this year.

Bars, clubs, pubs and off licences can apply for new alcohol and public entertainment licences and police and local residents will, for the first time, be able to challenge every new licence application. The Government claims that this is the "beginning of the end for our outdated licensing laws".

The new licences, which will not be effective until November, form part of the biggest shake up of the licensing laws in over 40 years. New laws also give police tough new powers to deal with alcohol disorder, move responsibility for licensing decisions to local authorities and empower the local community to have a say in the licensing decisions that affect them.

The new laws will give the responsible majority the freedom to choose how they spend their leisure time, while at the same time cracking down on the irresponsible few.

Announcing the licensing law reform Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell said: "We will give adults the freedom they deserve and yobs the tough treatment they deserve".

She said: "Alcohol-fuelled disorder denies the law-abiding majority the pleasure of a quiet night out. This is why the status quo is not an option. This Act will bring in much needed reform. It will enable Government, local authorities, the police and local communities to work closely together to effectively tackle problems where they do arise.

"We are not, and never have, promoted 24 hour drinking - that is a myth. 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.

"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 11pm. We will give adults the freedom they deserve and yobs the tough treatment they deserve."

The Government will monitor the passage of the Licensing Act.

A recent poll by the British Beer and Pub Association, who represent more than 30,500 pups and bars in England and Wales, confirmed that of the 20 respondents none intended to remain open for 24 hours.

Medical experts have denounced the legislation as nonsensical saying that binge drinkers will simply binge for longer.

(SP/MB)