Pubs could be allowed to host more gigs and stay open all night in a new bid to boost growth.The Government today vowed to hack away at red tape that slashes profits and sucks the fun out of going out.
For years, stuffy rules have made it harder for locals to serve food outdoors, host live music, or even keep the doors open late. Some historic venues have even been forced to shut after noise complaints or because of outdated advertising laws.
The shake-up could spark a boom in street food, live acts and easier licensing for pubs simply trying to give punters a good night.
Plans to slash the bureaucracy will go out to a four-week consultation, with punters, landlords and communities all invited to have their say on whether pubs should be allowed to open all through the night – or into the early hours of the morning.
Extended hours will be subject to approval from local councils. On a trade visit to Mumbai, the PM said: “Pubs and bars are the beating heart of our communities.
“We’re backing them to thrive. This review is about cutting red tape, boosting footfall, and making it easier for venues to put on the kind of events that bring people together.”
“When our locals do well, our economy does too.”
Nick Mackenzie, co-chair of the Licensing Taskforce and CEO at Greene King, said: “Pubs are faced with continued rising costs, placing them under enormous pressure.
“The Government must continue to back the sector, including critical reforms on business rates which would unlock opportunities for pubs to invest and help drive economic growth.”
New figures from the Centre for Economics and Business Research, commissioned by the BBPA, show which regions in England face the worst hit. The South East tops the list, with 417 pubs at risk, followed by the North West where 328 could shut, and the South West losing up to 309 next year.
