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Has 'Time' really been called?
by John Cryne
Recent government announcements and press speculation make interesting
reading..
Beer drinkers are raising a toast to the Government's intentions to reform
liquor licensing law, as announced in a recently released White Paper.
CAMRA has welcomed plans for a more flexible approach to pub opening hours
to meet the needs of today's consumers.
CAMRA spokesman, Mike Benner, said, "The Government plans to reform all
aspects of licensing law to modernise current rules which are archaic,
over-bureaucratic, and have no place in today's society but the main area
of interest to consumers is that of opening hours."
"A more permissive approach to licensing will benefit all consumers,
regular pub goers or not. It is highly unlikely that all pubs will be
allowed to open 24 hours a day. Residents and communities will have a say.
But CAMRA urges the Government to stand its ground on reform, while
ensuring that residents have proper protection from problem pubs."
Despite gloomy predictions that longer hours would lead to increased
alcohol abuse and related crime, previous liberalisation measures in 1988
and 1995 did not have this result, instead they led to more choice for
consumers and a more relaxed approach to enjoying alcohol.
However, there is now a real problem with all pubs closing at the same time
each evening. It leads to binge drinking as people drink too much too
quickly before 'Time' is called. It leads to chaos in many towns and cities
as too many people hit the streets (and each other, according to Home
Secretary, Jack Straw) at the same time causing tension and placing undue
strain on services like transport and the police. A more relaxed approach
will ease these problems and benefit all drinkers.
So, could this be the end of the 11.00pm "time gentlemen please"?
Let's hope the pragmatic common sense of these proposals is not swept aside
by panic mongering from the usual suspects who will oppose this. Hopefully we
will all soon have the choice to stay for an extra beer with friends in a
pub of our choice.
Cheers! John Cryne
Reproduced from the Full Pint, Issue 4.
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