Plans to extend opening hours this New Year could be thwarted because of an internal Government dispute, according to a leading trade association.
Business in Sport and Leisure (BISL) claims a delay in agreeing membership of the Deregulation and Regulatory Reform Committee could lead to the failure of the proposals.
The warning comes after MPs failed to finalise membership of the committee, which would need to approve the extended hours, for the third time.
The draft Regulatory Reform (Special Occasions Licensing) Order 2001 was laid before Parliament on June 28 (The Publican Newspaper July 9). It would allow a relaxation of permitted hours between 11am on New Year's Eve and 11pm on New Year's Day, but it must be agreed by the committee before it can be brought in.
The Home Office was heavily criticised last year for failing to get a similar order through Parliament in time for the New Year celebrations. Responsibility has since moved to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) where ministers were thought to be anxious to avoid a repeat performance.
But internal wrangling has already set the process back almost a month and there are now fears that this could mean the legislation is not passed in time.
Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of BISL, said: "We are very pleased that the DCMS has come forward with the measure but are concerned that objections by one MP could ruin New Year's Eve for everyone.
"It took from 1994 to 2001 to cut through the red tape and allow Sunday dancing, the only deregulation order passed last session. This sort of delay is not acceptable. BISL hopes to work with the committee to ensure considerable acceleration of the measures."
An online poll conducted by thePublican.com found that 23 per cent of licensees would take advantage of the full extended hours, with 32 per cent planning to open until 4am, 27 per cent planning to close by 2am and 18 per cent by 1am.
Related stories:
DCMS plans 36-hour opening over new year (3 July 2001)