Galloway: York - the city that does n't sleep.

AllModCons

Debate urged on all-day drinking
by Richard Edwards

A MAJOR debate on drinking should be held in York in the run-up to pubs being allowed to pull pints around the clock, city council leader Steve Galloway has said.

He has urged groups, including landlords, pub-goers, the police, teetotallers and people living near pubs, to contact the council with their views.

He said: "This is a major issue that will involve a wide range of people across York. There are some fairly serious decisions to be made and we want to know what people think."

A motion is expected to go before next month's full council meeting to start the internal council debate about 24-hour drinking. The Government Act to allow pubs to open all hours has been approved by Parliament, and could come into effect as early as this summer, or possibly some time in 2005.

The Act switches the power for granting licences from magistrates to local authorities.

Coun Galloway said there were advantages to extended licences, but the issue would be handled carefully, with a limit to the number of late licences within the Bar Walls.

He said: "There are premises, particularly those serving food, that we can be relaxed about.

"If there is no evidence of abuse on the premises or off it, particularly regarding the sale of alcohol to minors, we would be fairly relaxed, providing it was not in a residential area. We are becoming a 24-hour city."

But Coun Galloway said there were areas of concern, including the sale of low-cost drinks, and people already drunk being sold more alcohol.

He also raised concerns over the practice of "touting", where pub or club promoters hand out cards in the street to tempt people in, often with offers of cheap drinks.

Coun Galloway said: "The motion to council will plan a debate about the link between alcohol and crime. Having squads of police around the city at 1am on Sunday morning is not the most sensible way of using resources."

Frank Cartin, president of York Licensed Victuallers' Association, said: "It is a good idea to have a debate, but something has to come of it, otherwise there is not a lot of point."

York Police licensing officer PC Dave Boag said the force was already working closely with the council to discuss the new licensing act.

He said that the high number of residential properties in the city centre meant few pubs or bars would be likely to get long licence extensions.
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"I can't hide my emotions. I'm a man that wears his heart on his sleeve" - Chris Brass

UkrainianPhil · Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2004 12:35 pm Post subject:

Who is 'we'?

Darlo?

Evil or Very Mad

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"These colours don't run" - that's the greatest thing you've ever said ever!

MeMeMeMe · Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2004 4:50 pm Post subject:

It'll be great too be able to pop into the pub after work (@7am) Cool

palfrexm · Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2004 4:53 am Post subject:

1, would reduce binge drinkin to be drunk in time for closing,
2, Would mean if for any reason you wanted to go for a beer at 4am you can
3, would develop a nation of 24 hour alcoholics!!

sounds good to me
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If i was born in leeds i would have gone to be an asylum seeker somewhere far away.

kingmouse · Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2004 7:18 am Post subject:

I think the proposals have been put forward because everyone rushes out at closing time and there are too many people on the streets at the same time (health & safety). If York becomes 24hour then people will leave (shouldn't that be crawl) out at different times.
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Awight!

Chris_York1 · Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2004 7:48 am Post subject:

LondonVillageRed · Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2004 8:37 am Post subject:

Yabba · Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2004 10:16 pm Post subject:

In my experience travelling on the continent I haven't found a truly 24hr city.
It's bollox.
Amesterdam shuts at 12 to 1am.
Every time i've been away it's out the door at 7 oclock until the night club shuts. Which is no different now.
What the council need to do is tell the bars to stop ripping people off for 3.50 a bottle.

palfrexm · Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2004 12:11 pm Post subject:

Benidorm was truely 24 hour, could always get a drink and where is a load of boozers
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If i was born in leeds i would have gone to be an asylum seeker somewhere far away.

Yabba · Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2004 2:08 am Post subject:

daveccc · First team sub Joined: 01 Feb 2004 Posts: 223

yabba you sure it was amsterdam you were in and not accrington?

Yabba · Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2004 3:04 am Post subject:

palfrexm · Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2004 11:43 am Post subject:

Rivers of sick aside it was a beautiful place lol.

Oh and roastings were a plenty Laughing

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If i was born in leeds i would have gone to be an asylum seeker somewhere far away.