Is coffee the new lager?

Should Britain look to the continent to improve its towns and cities?

Will a drive to bring a continental style cafe culture to Britain's towns and cities really cut back our boozy nightlife?

MP's are calling on the Government to cut the number of pubs in central areas, bringing in al fresco venues like coffee shops and attracting more people to stay later.

But could such a move succeed without the long traditions and the milder climate of the continent?

BBC News Online spoke to Birmingham coffee shop goers to see if they thought the city could ever compete with the likes of Barcelona and Bologna.

As Eileen Hurley, 47 and her husband Kevin, 48, from Redditch, sit down outside Coffee Republic the heavens open but they decide to brave the shower.

We stay away a lot because of the number of people drinking and the places are quite noisy and aggressive Kevin Hurley, 47

"I think it would be nice if there were more of this sort of place open in the evening," Eileen says. "I think a lot of people still want to drink alcohol though.

"We don't come into Birmingham very often after hours."

Kevin adds: "We don't feel welcome and don't like it at night time, we stay away a lot because of the number of people drinking and the places are quite noisy and aggressive.

"I would welcome more of a mix, I like the canals area of Birmingham where there are more places like this. It makes you want to come in to the city."

Chris Freer, 26, and his wife Heather Freer, 27, from Nuneaton, were also taking time out to enjoy a coffee.

Or will pub culture prevail?

Heather says: "I think there should be something else to do in the evening rather than sitting in a pub, as then you feel you have to drink alcohol."

And Chris says: "We don't usually come into Birmingham at night because it's so far, public transport needs to be improve, the last train home is just after 10pm.

"I don't think a coffee culture will catch on, young people today do like drinking."

Tina Brown, 36, and partner John Richards, 67, from Stirchley say they are looking forward to experiencing the real thing on their Italian holiday.

But Tina says she does not feel safe enough to spend a similar evening in Birmingham.

She welcomes more cafes and suggests covered terraces could keep the changeable British weather at bay.

It works in America... I think that could be to do with the age for drinking alcohol being older over there Kevin Thomas, 43

"If you can sit outside you are more inclined to go there than a bar and I think it would encourage people to spend more money."

Kevin Thomas, 43, from Kings Heath, says he enjoys visiting coffee shops for the coffee, to relax and to people watch.

He says he would be encouraged to stay later if more special events and live performances were on offer in the city.

"It works in America, in places like Chicago where the weather can be worse than here, there is a coffee bar culture there.

"I think that could be to do with the age for drinking alcohol being older over there."

And lead barista at Coffee Republic, Lucy Howells, 22, says it is a great idea but says British people will have to grow to love cafes.

"We now open to 8pm and it is getting busier as people learn about us.

"But we aren't like Italy at the moment, over there they have a whole history of cafe culture."