The public and police are using their new powers in the Licensing Act to take action against pubs and other licensed venues, new Government figures show.
A survey of 86% of councils showed that in the 12 months to March 2007, there were 670 licence reviews. Of these:
- 90 licences were revoked
- 91 licences were suspended for up to three months
- 110 premises were made to change their opening hours
- 390 premises had other conditions placed on their licence
The survey from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport also puts a nail in the coffin of the idea that Britain would be awash with "24-hour" pubs under the Licensing Act.
Of the 5,100 premises with 24-hour licences, just 460 (9%) are pubs, bars and nightclubs. Most 24-hour licences belong to hotel bars, which make up 65% of the total, while supermarkets account for 18%.
Overall, the survey shows that as of 31 March, there were 176,400 licensed premises in England and Wales.
Of those, 122,900 sell alcohol - 27,900 on the premises and 32,600 off the premises.
A total of 62,400 venues are licensed for both on and off-sales.
Licensing Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said: "These are the first official licensing figures since the Act came into force two years ago and I'm pleased they put to bed the theory that this law is all about 24 hour drinking. It isn't.
"Less than three per cent of premises are licensed to sell alcohol round-the-clock and two thirds of those are hotels, which have always been able to serve their guests for 24 hours a day. Only around one per cent of premises have 24 hour licences to sell alcohol to the public - and many only open longer hours on special occasions.
"But it's not about how many premises there are - it's about how responsible they are.
"The new laws give local people and police the power to ask for a review of a licence any time a problem occurs. That puts the onus back on the landlord - behave or risk closing early or even having your licence revoked."