Extended pub hours: No rise in drinking
The Licensing Act has not fuelled an increase in drinking, according to a YouGov poll for the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA).
The public have also stated that they do not want to a return to restricted opening hours.
A whopping 78% said they drunk about the same and 12% said they drunk less now than before the Licensing Act came into force in November 2005.
Only 3% said they now drink more.
People are embracing the change and there is clearly no support for a return to the past and fixed closing timesRob HaywardBBPA
In total, 83% said they go out the same amount as before the Licensing Act.
More than three-quarters (76%) do not want to see the new licensing laws abolished and a return to fixed closing times.
"This poll supports the hard data we have on the nation's alcohol consumption," said BBPA chief executive Rob Hayward (pictured).
"Since the Licensing Act was introduced the amount we drink has fallen in each of the last two years, by a total of more than 5%.
"What people are saying in this poll fully reflects that trend."
Change in behaviour
The poll also identifies significant changes in drinking patterns and behaviour. One in five say they now feel under less pressure to drink quickly and 13% said they are more likely to stay later in a local pub rather than head to the town centre.
"This poll highlights many issues that clearly point to the positive impact of the change made to our licensing laws," said Hayward.
"Taking out the pressure and pinch points associated with restricted hours and fixed closing times is resulting in people feeling under less pressure on their nights out.
"People are embracing the change and there is clearly no support for a return to the past and fixed closing times.
24-hour drinking
"While the term '24 hour drinking' remains an obsession of headline writers, it is a million miles away from the day-to-day experience of pubs and their customers.
"Pubs have extended their hours modestly, usually at the weekend and clearly, as this poll shows, people are not going out that much more and not staying out that much later than they did before the law was changed."
Over half (51%) also said they were opposed to a rise in alcohol tax as proposed by the Alcohol Health Alliance.
