Half of Punch pubs open longer under Act

More than half of Punch Taverns' pubs are staying open longer under the Licensing Act, a survey has revealed.

However most are only trading for an extra hour or two - blowing out of the water claims that pubs would open around-the-clock under the new regime.

Fifty-six per cent of Punch Taverns' leased, tenanted and managed outlets said they had extended their hours since the Act had come into force.

The majority of extensions (69 per cent) are used at weekends, while a third are used on special occasions such as Christmas and New Year's Eve, the poll found.

"We always believed 24-hour opening was a myth and this latest estate research confirms it," said Francis Patton,customer services director of Punch, the country's biggest pub landlord.

"Of the pubs we surveyed, 90 per cent are trading no more than two hours extra into the evening."

When asked whether or not extended opening hours were generating additional revenue, 44 per cent said 'yes'.

Francis Patton added: "The Act gives pubs flexibility, which they can and are passing onto their customers. It was never going to be a huge money spinner for them.

"What it is doing in many pubs is making drinking up time a more relaxed affair. The pressure to start drinking earlier or squeeze a few extra drinks in before last orders is gone, and that is good news for the industry's ongoing commitment to trading professionally and responsibly."

Punch said it also predicted a major growth opportunity for pubs trading early morning. Fourteen per cent of its pubs currently open early for breakfast or morning coffee.

"We're telling our retailers they can capitalise on the growing café culture in our society and capture trade currently enjoyed by premium coffee bars and sandwich shops," Patton added.

"Trading longer hours isn't just about selling more alcohol. It's a chance to broaden your horizons and offer customers the products they want at a time that suits."