Exclusive research: drinkers are not spending more money in pubs

EXCLUSIVE RESEARCH for The Publican has blown a hole in the argument that later opening would result in people drinking more in pubs into the early hours.

In a firm confirmation that the Licensing Act has had little effect on the amount of alcohol served to drinkers, 77 per cent of pub-goers surveyed said they do not spend more money in pubs following the extension of hours.

And a whopping 81 per cent said they do not spend more time in pubs following the implementation of the act, putting paid to claims the Licensing Act would lead to swathes of drinkers lining the streets in the early hours of the morning.

Perhaps the strongest indication of the benefits of the Act is in the 98 per cent of consumers who said they haven't complained to their council about a pub since it came in.

However, 73 per cent do not think city centres have become safer places since the law was introduced.

A number of those surveyed contributed to the debate, revealing a wide range of views on the issue. A 60-year-old man said: "There is only the same amount of money to spend and it's just a case of when you spend it."

A woman aged 30 commented: "As far as enforcing the law goes it's a joke. The police, councils and licensees all interpret the laws differently. No-one is reading from the same page."

"It's much better now that every drinker in a five-mile radius isn't trying to get a taxi or pizza at the same time," said a 26-year-old man surveyed.

"I like going out late, so now it's easy for me to potter down to my local at 10.30pm on a Saturday, have a couple of leisurely pints and then potter home again. Much more civilised than buying two pints at 10.55pm and then skulling them!" said a 41-year-old man.

The research, conducted by online mystery shopping company MarketPublic.com between November 10 and 17, 2006, surveyed 324 consumers from a wide range of backgrounds.