The Publican is urging pub-goers in England and Wales to ignore the media hysteria and get behind their local at a crucial time for the licensed trade. This open letter is addressed to pub customers across the country.
Dear pub-goers of England and Wales
Welcome to a new era - the relaxation of Britain's archaic licensing laws. How was it for you? Notice much difference? Those who are due to go out tonight may make use of an extra hour of two of drinking at your local. We hope you enjoy yourselves. The new laws have, of course, meant that licensed premises, including pubs, bars, clubs, restaurants and hotels, are able to apply for extended opening. Some have been granted extra hours, some haven't.
Unfortunately, the majority of the media's coverage has focused on the idea that pubs will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Scare stories have been prevalent in the tabloids with numerous headlines predicting a meltdown of nuclear proportions.
The right-wing press has clearly used it as a stick with which to beat the Labour Party and unfortunately the pub industry has suffered the collateral damage.
We at The Publican and many in the trade think this is grossly unfair. Latest figures from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport have revealed the real picture. Of the 1,008 premises which we know have been handed a 24-hour licence - 0.5 per cent of total licences granted - only a third are pubs, clubs and bars.
Reports suggest none of the pubs granted round-the-clock licences will use them. For example, at the Swan Tavern in the City of London the licensees have said they will only open significantly later on special occasions such as the Budget, while the Railway Hotel in Blandford Forum, Dorset, wants to allow darts teams to play into the night.
In many of the highly distorted reports which have appeared in the press a number of issues have been glossed over. What about the supermarkets granted licences to sell alcohol round the clock? Where will people find the money to pay for extra drinks during the extra hour or two they have for drinking? A survey on behalf of The Publican found that nine out of 10 would not spend more time in the pub under the new regime. Don't get us wrong. We're not claiming you will never see another fight outside your local. But as the government has been at pains to point out the law is designed to give police greater powers to close down problem pubs and tackle alcohol-related disorder. Good pub operators support this and the minority of bad operators should be shut down.
Here at The Publican we strongly believe that pubs are a force for good. Indeed we have recently launched the Proud of Pubs campaign to highlight the excellent things pubs do for their communities and the good practice they follow. You may have even seen a copy of our charter up in your local. Close to 500 licensees have already signed the charter, showing that they are not afraid to shout about how proud they are of their pubs.
As for the new legislation, let's wait and see what happens. The people who run this pub are grateful for your continued support and custom. Keep on backing your local!
The Publican team