Longer Opening Hours

[Kirstypie]

A poll! Goodie!

[Mike]

I think that it is really self regulating. If the pubs etc can make more money by opening all hours then they should be allowed to do so. I suppose there is a certain level of civic responsibility that comes with it to help people with severe alcohol problems especially when it becomes clear that it is bad for their health!

Chris Moyles was talking about it the other morning and apparently there are only 1000 places with 24 hr licences. This does not seem like a lot really does it????

[Lizzie]

I cannot see that it would be any worse or better than before longer opening hours - but I'm all for supply and demand. Therefore, if there's a demand for it (which there obviously is) why not ??

Having said that I don't think it should be allowed in residential areas ie. at the local pub.

[Fez]

i've voted yes, but with a major reservation - a third of the places that have applied for these licenses include non-club/pub venues such as supermarkets (so they can continue to sell round the clock) and most dangerously football stadiums.

the atmosphere at a match is charged enough without letting people drink before games as well (saturday mornings mainly), and when people who are usually passionate beyond the sense of reason about their teams, they are bound to get trashed before the game, cause trouble during it, and drown their sorrows/celebrate afterward. considering these are also the very same people who become involved in hooliganism, and this countries' history concerning football violence is already one of the worst in the world to begin with, i'm not greatly enthused with the idea of going to anfield anytime soon.

as they keep saying on the news; this weekend is going to be the big test for this new law

[TAOWBST]

I cannot see that it would be any worse or better than before longer opening hours - but I'm all for supply and demand. Therefore, if there's a demand for it (which there obviously is) why not ??

Having said that I don't think it should be allowed in residential areas ie. at the local pub.

I don't think it will make things better. Far from it. It is a FACT that the most drunken driving accidents occur between the hours of 10pm and 4am. These longer opening hours will just push these times, to later in the morning. Which if you think logically, is likely to cause more accidents, as it is more likely people driving after a night drinking, (which they do, so don't say they all walk) will encounter poeple driving to work, thereby increasing risks.

I don't think you can restrict this like that. You can't allow one and not another based on the location. Its either both or neither, (personally I'd prefer it to be neither). Besides, where are most pubs,clubs,etc that are likely to apply for extended licensing hours? Town centres, exactly.

[mr_e]

I rather think the government were hoping for some kind of ideal situation whereby people drink the same amounts, but over a longer period of time. Being British, however, most people are just going to drink more. This will inevitably mean the minority that spoil it for everyone will just behave even worse, and some people will drink themselves into positions whereby they're even more vulnerable to this minority. We shall see...

[Claire]

I agree with you John, it must be hoped that the new legislation will allow people to pace themselves more reasonably. Personnally, neither my capacity for drink nor my need for sleep will be affected by the laws; my alcohol and staying-awake thresholds are self-regulating! The reasons that it won't work are mainly down to the British obsession with drinking, unfortunately it's entrenched in our culture. In France, we all know that alcohol is part of life from a younger age and so their attitude towards alcohol is far more relaxed. Maybe it's another one of those taboo things? Countries like Spain, Portugal and Italy too - they just don't go out on a mission to get paralytic. And what is the point? Getting drunk should not be the making of a good night out, although don't get me wrong we all know it facilitates the fun. Maybe we need some national therapy on this point. Someone said yesterday on BBC Breakfast that it's a bit unfounded to stress out about the new licensing laws - it's the old laws that have engendered our chronic binge drinking culture/problems. I guess it comes back to what Mr E said - we all know the situation as it is, but will 24hour licensing make it better or worse? time will tell (and it might take a decade or 2 cos apparently that's how long it can take psorosis to develop).

[johnriley1uk]

It would indeed be wonderful to be strolling hand in hand with your girlfriend/wife in the early hours of a balmy summer morning, to stop at a pavement cafe and order a romantic bottle of wine for two. You then gaze into each other's eyes, animatedly talking nonsense just like this post, but you need to be in France or Belgium to do this meaningfully.

It just won't be the same in Manchester....

[Mike]

That is probably due to the weather. Otherwise exchange the wine for mulled wine from the European Markets in Manchester and you have yourself a pretty romantic (if rather cold) evening.

[TAOWBST]

It would indeed be wonderful to be strolling hand in hand with your girlfriend/wife in the early hours of a balmy summer morning, to stop at a pavement cafe and order a romantic bottle of wine for two. You then gaze into each other's eyes, animatedly talking nonsense just like this post, but you need to be in France or Belgium to do this meaningfully.

It just won't be the same in Manchester....

Uh yeah :?

meanwhile, back in the real world......