The Licensing Act 2003, which came into force at the end of November 2005, abolished set licensing hours in England and Wales. Opening hours of premises are now set locally through the conditions of individual licences. The aim was to liberalise a rigid system whilst reducing the problems of drinking and disorder associated with a standard closing time. The Act gave licensing authorities new powers over licensed premises, whilst giving local people more of a say in individual licensing decisions. It was hoped that in the longer term its provisions – coupled with other government initiatives – would help to bring about a more benign drinking culture.
Posted by Gary Holden at March 26, 2008 8:33 PM