Licensees lash out over newspaper reports
Licensees have lashed out over newspapers' sensationalist reports over extended hours.
The industry has been slammed by articles in the national press claiming pubs are acting irresponsibly. In particular the Daily Mail and The Times have led the charge, claiming the new Licensing Act will mean more drink-related violence and problems for local residents.
The Times has run headlines including "Pubs use devious tactics in licensing shake-up" while the Daily Mail claimed "homeowners may have to pay £60m towards pub licences". The Mail also produced its own cut-out-and-keep guide to blocking a late-hours application.
Rick Robinson, licensee of the Willoughby Arms in Kingston-upon-Thames, claims that press reports are misrepresenting the trade to the public.
He said: "It's just pure sensationalism and it's negative. The Licensing Act is all in place. The country has been screaming out for licensing reform for 30 years. We should embrace it.
"The general public believe that any drunk hooligans have been in the pub. They don't take into account that these people are drinking at home."
Chris McLean of the Plough and Harrow, Bridge, Canterbury, agreed that more alcohol is drunk in the home than in pubs. He said: "It's distressing, this negative spin that we are parasitically disabling the population. Pubs have a positive role within the community."
Bill Sharp, licensee of the Kings Arms in London Bridge, has been reading the Daily Mail since he was 15 years old and is "disgusted" with the way it has been representing the trade.
But the bookies' favourite as the next Tory leader, Shadow Home Secretary David Davis, said there should be no liberalisation of pub opening hours until measures to tackle problem drinking and town centre disorder are shown to be effective. He is calling for the start of the new system, currently November 24, to be put on hold indefinitely.
Mr Davis said many people in residential areas are concerned that extended hours will make current problems worse. He added that there is a strong case for banning happy hours and similar promotions, which he said encourage "accelerated drinking".
