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Llamadance
> Teenager of the Year <
United Kingdom
2543 Posts |
 Posted - 08/10/2005 : 04:50:11
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So, the British government is passing a law which will extend drinking hours in England & Wales, making it possible in some cases to have 24hr drinking. Scotland already has extended licensing hours, but not as far reaching as this I think.
So will this help cure the binge drinking culture? Will people just drink more? Do you think there will be a corresponding increase in crime?
Some people think there may be initial problems which will settle down as people come to terms with the new licensing hours, eventually taking a more responsible attitude to alcohol. Is this crediting the British public with far too much intelligence, or is it a reasonable gamble to solve a growing problem?
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No power in the 'verse can stop me
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fbc
-= Modulator =-
United Kingdom
4903 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2005 : 05:03:00
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I always thought 11 o'clock last orders was too early, way too early.
It's a "Yay" for me for both the 24 hour licenses and our Government crediting the British public with far too much intelligence. I'm looking forward to a pint at 4 in the morning and a smack in the face.
Legalise the green stuff, too! |
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starmekitten
-= Forum Pistolera =-
United Kingdom
6370 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2005 : 05:10:10
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I actually think it's not a bad idea for two reasons
1) On a night out as the bar calls time people cram in the drinks then head to clubs because there's nowhere else to go and cram in more drinks, I think it'll help level it out. Initially it'll be mental because of the novelty of it, but generally people won't have to rush the drink in, in the pubs so will take it a little slower. I think most people get quite pissed in the hope when there's nowhere else to go they'll be too hammered to care.
2) because I quite like the idea, sometimes it's bloody annoying when you're with your mates and talking the world away in a bar and the place shuts and you can either go home or go to a club, I'm not always in the mood for a club and I haven't found anywhere in Sheffield yet that does lock ins so another option would be nice.
I can see a lot of problems with it though, late night transport in most major cities isn't fantastic which could be a problem for women in particular I think, especially when there's an increase of drunk people on the streets at stupid O clock. But then if there's a bigger visible presence of people on the street will rape and mugging be less frequent in the early hours? Not that, that always seems to matter mind. On a lot of these crime programs most drink-violence occurs at pub/club closing time, people with nowhere to go make their own entertainment on the streets it seems.
Thats enough thinking for now.
Urgh.
You begin saving the world by saving one person at a time; all else is grandiose romanticism or politics |
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Stuart
- The Clopser -
China
2291 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2005 : 05:36:51
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Well for a communist country, China is doing pretty well as it has a 24 hour drinking policy. To be honest it is a good idea, and I don't think that it increases the amount of crime.... drinking maybe, but its a better type of drinking as people can drink over time without having to worry about pubs closing before ordering a couple of pints and downing them quickly (thats the reason for the troubles if you ask me... that and kicking everyone onto the streets at the same time.... a recipe for disaster).
I really think that the police and politicians in UK are extremely naive about the whole affair to be honest.... same with the Marijuana question.
Starmekitten, what part of Sheffield are you living in? I have a few mates up there, love the place and always go up there for a piss up when I am back home.
This is a high class bureau de change, not some Punch & Judy show on the seafront at Margate! |
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Surfer Rosa
> Teenager of the Year <
4209 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2005 : 05:41:59
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I personally have issues with the drinking to get drunk vs drinking for enjoyment, so I think the 24 hour drinking thing is long overdue. The politicians here seem to forget that most people can think for themselves and frankly it's about time that everyone stopped being nannied to such an utterly ridiculous extent.
The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it. |
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Llamadance
> Teenager of the Year <
United Kingdom
2543 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2005 : 06:05:57
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Thursday, Friday and Saturday up here, most of the pubs don't shut till 1am, which is great IMO. It took a bit of getting used to when we moved up from England as the effect it had was that most people didn't go out till 10pm.
I think what Stuart said may be right, in that there won't necessarily be a kicking out time, so people are more likely to leave in fits and starts. And yeah, less likely to get a couple of pints in at last orders.
In some ways I applaud the goverment for taking such a bold step. Something has to be done, especially when the current system isn't working, and I'm beginning to think that approach might work for drugs. It's better to try something new than stand and watch what you know isn't working continue to fail.
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No power in the 'verse can stop me
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Stuart
- The Clopser -
China
2291 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2005 : 07:53:47
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quote:
Originally posted by Llamadance
In some ways I applaud the goverment for taking such a bold step. Something has to be done, especially when the current system isn't working, and I'm beginning to think that approach might work for drugs. It's better to try something new than stand and watch what you know isn't working continue to fail.
I agree, but I cannot see them doing that with drugs.
Drinking out here is great, people are alot more chilled out and there isn't that air of agro that you get in British bars / on the streets. I'm not saying that fighting doesn't happen occasionally, but its alot better than UK, and I really think it is because of the licensing laws. People get intoxicated in a subtler way, which means they are less agressive on the whole than someone who has had about 3 hours to get as drunk as they can before the bar shuts.
24 hour licensing is the way forward
This is a high class bureau de change, not some Punch & Judy show on the seafront at Margate! |
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Broken Face
-= Forum Pistolero =-
USA
5155 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2005 : 08:02:00
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in the US our liquor laws depend on the state. in new jersey, where i live, bars close at 2am (maximum, many choose to close earlier). in new york city, it is a 4am last call. i do not know if 24 hour drinking would really help in nyc, because i've been to a few bars around 3am, and unless its a club or a really trendy bar, it is already starting to thin out severely by that time. i think 4am is a very reasonable time to close shop. perhaps the fighting/craziness is worse in the UK than here, but i find most arguments in bars to be because of a) people getting jealous of their s.o. getting hit on or b) jock frat guys.
-Brian
If you move I shoots!
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Stuart
- The Clopser -
China
2291 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2005 : 08:20:49
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later licensing laws would work too... you're right, it does seem to get quiet around 4am... still it's nice to wake up at 7:00am and know that if you really wanted to then you could be pissed by 9am.
This is a high class bureau de change, not some Punch & Judy show on the seafront at Margate! |
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Homers_pet_monkey
= Official forum monkey =
United Kingdom
17125 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2005 : 10:37:14
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quote:
Originally posted by Stuart
still it's nice to wake up at 7:00am and know that if you really wanted to then you could be pissed by 9am.
This is a high class bureau de change, not some Punch & Judy show on the seafront at Margate!
May I suggest China's equivelant of AA ; )
I say give it a try. I am not sure how it will go, none of us are, but there is surely no harm in trying.
That said, when Manchester city centre bars were asked recently if they wanted to apply for a license, only two did from the whole city. Therefore I am not sure this is gonna take off anyway.
Don't believe the type!
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starmekitten
-= Forum Pistolera =-
United Kingdom
6370 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2005 : 11:00:25
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(I live about fifteen minutes walk out of the city centre Stuart, just past Wicker Arches)
You begin saving the world by saving one person at a time; all else is grandiose romanticism or politics |
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Carl
- A 'Fifth' Catholic -
Ireland
11546 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2005 : 12:15:07
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| I don't know if they could do that over here. It could either be total anarchy, or maybe thigs would just pan out, and people would'nt neccesarily be drunk all day and night! :D |
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Stevio10
* Dog in the Sand *
United Kingdom
1117 Posts |
Posted - 08/10/2005 : 17:09:42
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It doesn't really apply to me up here in Scotland but if it were to happen up here it would make me feel indifferent.
As a drinker it would be quite nice, it's an extra option.
But seeing as I work in a bar it would mean some really weird shifts (potentiallly).
There are a few factors though;
-Bar Licensee's may opt to not apply for the additional license.
-If they do apply for a 24 hour license the licensing board may not grant the licensee a license, depending on history. Included are police reports such as violence, drugs etc.
-If the license is granted it doesn't necessarily mean that the bar will stay open 24 hours. They can still close any time they want.
Changing the licensing laws doesn't change much, all it changes are price, place and discounts.
It won't change the culture of "binge drinking", which in my opinion is a buzz word. Binge drinking has gone on for years and years and it will continue to do so. It's true that the trouble is when everyone leaves the pubs/clubs so hopefully the licensing law changes will have an effect on the amount of people on the streets.
It depends on night club licensing too. To my knowledge (in Scotland anyway) an entertainments license is required for night clubs, whether or not there will be changes or implications for this i do not know.
Changing the licensing laws won't change the culture, atleast not anytime soon. With the smoking ban on pubs approaching (is that happening nationwide? i cant remember) it appears the government are trying to balance out the situation. However, to me, it appears to be hegemony, and their way of changing a culture by trying to force people to drink/smoke elsewhere.
What bothers me though is that it is only on-licensed premises that is targetted. On licensed drinking is monitored, and those in the trade do their utmost to enforce responsible drinking (without being the police!). Off licenses is something that isn't monitored, license laws haven't been changed for ages regarding them. For example, someone who comes to the bar and orders say 24 bottles of stella artois for him/herself and 2 friends at once, any responsible person is going to say no. If however it is in an off sales then there is no problem, with the argument being that "it is unlikely the alcohol will be consumed in one evening". It is true, however there is no guarantee that is the case and there is no monitoring of where it is being consumed and amount being consumed.
All in all, I doubt it will change a whole lot, i dunno how crime rates will change, it won't stop people from getting drunk but it might just stop crowds of people massed together at once in the same place, whether or not that will lower crime rates or just lower the amount of cctv footage of lager louts we see on tv is beyond me. |
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24hr Drinking, Yay or nay?
