BBPA hits back after Daily Mail campaign

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has spoken out after the Daily Mail launched its campaign to stall licensing reform.

The newspaper has targeted the area of legislation that allows pubs to apply for 24-hour opening, and claims this will result in increased binge-drinking and alcohol-related violence.

But the BBPA points out that this view is contrary to that of the trade, as most will not be applying for round the clock opening anyway.

"As far as we are aware not one pub intends opening for 24 hours and none of our customers want to drink for 24 hours. What pubs want is the flexibility to provide more choice after 11pm. At present the only choice you have is to go home or go to a noisy nightclub," said Mark Hastings, Director of Communications.

"With the removal of the limitations on late night licences and the provision of a greater choice of venue, our towns and city centres will cater for a much wider age range than at present."

The Daily Mail started its campaign last week and continued to attack the legislation over the weekend.

The Sunday Mail led with criticism of Andrew Cunningham, the official in charge of licensing policy at the Department for Culture Media and Sport, and the campaign has also encouraged Conservative leader Michael Howard to raise an early day motion to delay licensing reforms.

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'24-hour drinking' backlash (13 January 2005)

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