Tessa Jowell Praises Pub Industry And Promises Reform
Pubs' large contribution to the economic wealth of Britain was recognised today by Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell today in a keynote speech on licensing policy.
Speaking at the 10th anniversary conference of the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, Tessa Jowell reassured the licensing industry that the Government would fulfil its promise to reform licensing laws.
Tessa Jowell said:
"Pubs are at the heart of our communities, both in town and country. They bring a great deal of enjoyment and social contact for people of all ages.
"They are also vital for the generation of new employment opportunities that breathe life into communities. Sales of alcohol of around £30 billion each year generate duty and VAT that buys our country's schools, roads, hospitals and puts policemen on our streets.
"But our licensing laws speak for another decade, not our own. I am determined that we deliver on our promises and bring forward our new proposals to modernise our licensing laws as soon as possible."
The promised changes to the current liquor and entertainment laws would see:
- flexible opening hours with the potential for up to 24 hour opening, 7 days a week subject to consideration of the impact on local residents;
- a single integrated scheme for selling alcohol, provide entertainment or provide refreshment at night;
- a new system of personal licences which allow holders to sell or serve alcohol for consumption on or off any premises and would be issued for ten years;
- licences issued by local authorities, not magistrates; and
- children allowed access to any part of licensed premises at the personal licence holder's discretion.
Tessa said that the reforms would be good for the economy; opening the way to new and more diverse markets, providing new investment opportunities and creating new employment.
She also said that the problems of disorder and disturbance associated with fixed and artificially early closing times would be eliminated while proving a major boost for tourism after the difficult times the sector has been experiencing. But she also offered reassurance saying that the reforms would also bring better and simpler ways of protecting local residents and children without the current blanket of red tape that often fails to deliver real protection at all.
Turning to the issue of children and alcohol, Tessa Jowell stressed the importance of allowing them to understand and experience alcohol in a controlled way. She said:
"By failing to modernise and by allowing strict Edwardian laws to deny children real access to the world of pubs, we have made a rod for our own backs. It doesn't protect young people, it denies them a chance to socialise with their families, and normalise drinking alcohol.
"Children have to be allowed to understand and experience alcohol in a controlled way, with the advice and guidance of their parents."
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