New website targets later hours with online petition
The British public is being given the chance to have its say on whether pubs should be allowed to open later.
A new website, launched earlier this week at www.drinklater.co.uk, aims to encourage debate among the UK's pub-goers as well as offering users the chance to sign an online petition in support of longer opening hours.
The man behind the initiative hopes it will also serve to highlight the strength of feeling behind calls for the scrapping of outdated licensing laws.
Stephen Molesworth, who set up the site, told thePublican.com that it was not just licensees who wanted the freedom to open when they chose.
He said many pub-goers had had enough of the current system as well and were unhappy that licensing reform was not included in the Queen's Speech last summer.
"We were told we were going to get longer hours last year, but then it never happened," he said. "Even if it's in the Queen's Speech this year, we won't see any change for a few years yet," he added.
Mr Molesworth set up www.drinklater.co.uk to help build pressure on ministers to act sooner rather than later.
"From the feedback we have had so far, people are fed up with the government stumbling on this issue," he said.
"Once we have reached 250,000 signatures we will be showing it to the government and local authorities."
The website went live this week and it is hoped that more than 250,000 people will go online to vote for longer drinking hours. It will also provide a platform for people to have their say, whether they are for or against pubs opening later than 11pm.
The move follows a speech by culture secretary Tessa Jowell at the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers' 10th anniversary conference, during which she gave the strongest indication yet that licensing reform will be taken forward in this year's Queen's Speech.
She promised reform would be introduced as soon as possible within the parliamentary timetable.
Ms Jowell admitted that "our licensing laws speak for another decade, not our own" but added that any bill would also need to protect the rights of residents.
But many trade campaigners are still angry that reform continues to be delayed. If it is contained in the Queen's Speech, expected in November, it could still be 2004 before it is implemented.
Related stories:
Jowell talks up licensing reform at ALMR conference (26 April 2002)
A similar campaign was launched last year - take a look at Drink like Johnny Foreigner! (16 August 2001)for details and to see the debate generated by the issue on thePublican.com.
