Leisure Industry Welcomes Promised Licensing Reform

Reforms to the licensing laws would mean that pubs could open round the clock. Police have campaigned increasingly for these changes, saying it will stop rowdy drinkers emptying into the streets simultaneously, thereby reducing disorder. And a survey published by the Leisure Property Forum strongly backs this up. The survey found that phased closing times would be strongly supported by licensing justices, local authorities, leisure operators and planners.

Angus McIntosh, Head of Research at King Sturge and Chairman of the Leisure Property Forum said: "The relaxation of current licensing laws will mean we will eventually see a merging and consolidation of the typical pub and nightclub in town centres. Whereas now there are clear distinctions between the two, we will see a blurring of the types and ranges of venues which will be available in the future because of these changes.