Drink rules relaxed for revellers

Party-goers have Parliament to thank for the marathon

New Year party-goers in Wales are enjoying relaxed licensing laws which allow pubs and clubs to open for 36 hours into 2002.

UK Culture Minister Kim Howells announced the Regulatory Reform (Special Occasions Licensing) Order 2001 had been approved by Parliament and becomes law on 31 December.

The 36-hour period could mean marathon drinking sessions for many

The ruling means pubs, nightclubs and bars can stay open from 1100GMT on New Year's Eve until 2300GMT on New Year's Day.

It will mean an extra 12 hours drinking and partying time and follows a similar extension brought in for the turn of the millennium last year.

The move, which applies to England and Wales, is the third time relaxed rules have been deployed in as many years.

Critics have previously questioned open-ended licensing hours, but the Campaign for Real Ale and the British Beer and Pub association have also welcomed the decision.

Pontypridd MP Mr Howells, who oversees licensing regulation at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, said he was convinced it was a step forward.

Monitoring

"This is good news for consumers and the industry," he said.

"Longer opening hours will give consumers more freedom to choose how and when to celebrate New Year's Eve and it will give the industry the chance to give their customers what they want."

Kim Howells confirmed the seasonal change

"The impact of this order will be monitored and, if successful, the Government will consider seeking Parliament's agreement to a permanent change affecting all future New Years' Eves."

But publicans will be refused the new opening hours if police forces, local authorities or residents lodge a complaint.

But there is provision within the new licensing order to target trouble spots, which means that the police, councils and residents could challenge the hours and seek restrictions.

UK licensing laws are coming under a wholesale review, but there are no plans to indefinitely extend opening hours.

'Greater harm'

The 36-hour licencing marathon has been labelled "a worrying trend" by the Welsh Council on Alcohol and Other Drugs.

Pressure group director Iestyn Davies told BBC News Online: "The government is listening to the leisure industry rather than looking at the way alcohol impacts on the health of the nation.

"Commercial reasons are taking precedence over health.

"Champagne socialists are not as touched by alcohol abuse as those in low-income families."

He said the relaxation of laws would lead to more injuries and public disorder on New Year's Eve and longer-term health problems including kidney failure and cirrhosis.

"You are more likely to get a glass in your face," he added.