Opening Hours

CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, is raising a toast to the reform of liquor licensing law announced in the Queen's Speech. British pub users can look forward to a more flexible approach to pub opening hours from the summer of 2004.

After years of campaigning we can finally look forward to longer opening hours for pubs which will boost tourism and help stamp out binge drinking through a more relaxed and responsible approach to enjoying alcohol.

Recent CAMRA research reveals that seven out of ten British adults support longer opening hours for pubs. This will be a popular change with consumers who are tired of unnecessary restrictions on when and where they can enjoy a drink. The current laws are largely based on laws introduced during the First World War and have no place in today's society.

CAMRA has dismissed claims that the new Act may lead to a free for all, with all pubs opening 24 hours a day and unrestricted access for children. It is simply not the case that all pubs will be able to open for 24 hours a day. Pubs will have to submit operating plans to the licensing authority and the police and local residents will have a say on the hours the pub will be able to stay open. It is likely that pubs applying will just ask for an extra hour or two on Friday and Saturday nights.

It will be up to publicans and the licensing authority to decide on the suitability of premises for children. It is not that case that kids will have access to premises without restriction, but it will mean that pubs will become more family friendly which will benefit millions of people.

There were fears that our streets would be invaded by drunks when the law was changed in 1988 to allow pubs to stay open in the afternoon, but these fears proved unfounded as there was no significant increase in alcohol consumption or alcohol related disorder. The same will be true following these changes and we can all look forward to the benefits of a more relaxed approach to enjoying a drink.