Britain readies for new drinking laws

About one third of all the pubs, clubs and shops in England and Wales licensed to sell alcohol will stay open for longer when the new drinking laws come into force at midnight on Wednesday, a BBC survey showed.

The government says that under the existing system, drinkers spill out onto the street at the same time when pubs close, fuelling drunken fights and vandalism. The country’s senior judges and police have warned the new rules, which will allow pubs and bars to stay open for longer and close at different times, could make an already serious problem worse.

According to the BBC survey, more than 56,000 outlets will be allowed to sell alcohol for longer and this could rise up to 70,000.

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It said only 359 pubs or clubs would get 24-hour licenses.

The government, under fire from the opposition Conservative party over the new rules, has launched a campaign to crackdown on binge drinking and alcohol-fuelled violence and has given police stronger powers to tackle the problem. REUTERS