BAR TALK from 01/12/2005

How did the first weekend of the new regime go?

Lucy Vane

Appledore Inn

Bideford

Devon

'It didn't make any difference to us. There didn't seem to be any more or less people around the town and we didn't stay open any later than usual. It could be the calm before the storm of Christmas celebrations, but it didn't really feel any different here.'

Mike Fallon

Wheatsheaf

Barrow-in-Furness

Cumbria

'It went really well. We benefited greatly. The advertising worked a treat and taxis were pulling up outside all night to drop people off. We added about £200 to takings on Thursday and Friday night and even stayed open until 2.30am on Monday, doubling takings. The place was packed.'

Bob Mulholland

Muppet Inn

Wisbech

Cambs

'I had no problems but then I didn't bother going for any extensions because it was easier not to. Most of my customers leave here at 11 to go on to the nightclubs anyway. I'm going to monitor the situation to see if it's worth applying for more hours in the New Year.'

Anita Adams

Golden Slipper

York

'I had a few confused customers who thought that, because I'd got a 2am licence, I'd be open until then. We actually called time as usual but didn't have to worry about rushing people out. We called it winding-down time rather than drinking up. I had a meeting with the staff and we've decided that we'll be opening a little bit later at the weekends and also when our sports teams want to come back following a match for a drink.'