Debate on pub opening hours
Thirty-five
members of Scarborough’s licensing trade attended a meeting on
Thursday 8 September with the Community Safety Partnership, Police
and Scarborough Borough Council Town Centre Management to discuss a
suggested voluntary reduction in opening hours for town centre bars
and clubs.
The meeting also discussed
ways in which the night time economy could be stimulated to
encourage drinkers to come out earlier and make the town centre
more welcoming during the evening.
This meeting followed
concerns expressed by licensees and other attendees at an earlier
meeting, that ‘few people benefited from the late opening hours as
it had resulted in people coming out later and drinking more
alcohol at home.’
Attendees at the meeting
were asked to discuss the following issues:
- What benefits do the late
opening hours bring to your company, premises or the late night
economy of Scarborough?
- If earlier closing was
agreed, what could you do to encourage people into your premises
earlier? What could Scarborough Borough Council or other
agencies do?
- If earlier closing is
agreed, how can we publicise / market the changes to get more
people into the town centre earlier?
Each premise was also asked
whether it would agree to the following proposal for voluntary
earlier closing in October and November 2011 and January and
February 2012:
‘A pilot whereby pubs and
bars would close at midnight on Sunday through to Thursday, and at
1am on Friday and Saturday. Nightclubs would close at 2am
Sunday to Thursday and 3am on Friday and Saturday. Casino
premises to stop selling alcohol at 4am.’
Nick Taylor, Scarborough
Borough Council Town Centre Management, who hosted the event said:
“There was a cross section of opinion voiced and some lively
debate, however no decisions will be made until all premises have
been consulted. The decision as to whether a pilot will go
ahead is expected within 10 days.”