Poll shows support for new licensing regime

November 28, 2007: The Licensing Act has not fuelled an increase in drinking and people do not want to see it abolished with a return to fixed closing times, according to a new YouGov poll for the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).

Seventy eight per cent say they drink about the same amount as they did before the introduction of flexible licensing hours and 12% say they now drink less — only 3% said they drink more.

More than three quarters (76%) do not want to see the licensing laws abolished with a return to fixed closing times.

“This poll supports the hard data we have on the nation’s alcohol consumption,” said Rob Hayward, chief executive of the BBPA. “Since the Licensing Act was introduced the amount we drink has fallen in each of the last two years, by a total of more than 5%. What people are saying in this poll fully reflects that trend.”

Eighty three per cent say the change in the licensing law has not changed how often they go out. Eleven per cent say they now go out less and only 4% say they go out more often.

Neither has the change had a dramatic effect on the amount of time people spend out socialising. Forty per cent say they go out and come home at around the same time as before. Six per cent go out at the same time and stay out a little later and 5% go out later and stay out later. This trend is more the case for younger age groups, where 12% of 18- to 24-year-olds and 11% of 25-34-year-olds say this is their social pattern.

People have also noticed positive changes in the nature of pubs. More than half (51%) say pub menus and food have improved. Four in ten say they are more family friendly — 44% of 35- to 44-year-olds and 51% of 45- to 54-year-olds say this is the case. A third say they think pubs now appeal to a wider range of customers than they did two years ago.

People feel strongly about the role of the pub in the community. Fifty eight per cent say pubs are a national institution and an important part of our cultural heritage. This is felt even more strongly by older age groups, for instance by two-thirds (66%) of 45- to 54-year-olds and 62% of those aged 55 and over.

Nearly four in ten (38%) say pubs play an important part in their community and four in ten say they are the best place to meet and socialise with friends — nearly half (48%) of 18- to 24-year-olds say this is their experience.

The poll also identifies significant changes in drinking patterns and behaviour. One in five say they now feel under less pressure to drink quickly. Thirteen per cent say they are now more likely to stay a bit later in a local pub rather than go into a town centre. This is more prominent among younger age groups with nearly one in five (19%) of 18- to 34-year-olds saying this is a feature of their social life.

“This poll highlights many issues that clearly point to the positive impact of the change made to our licensing laws,” said Mr Hayward. “It is now two years since the new Act came into force and what we can see is that flexible hours are starting to have a beneficial influence on behaviour and experience.

"Taking out the pressure and pinch points associated with restricted hours and fixed closing times is resulting in people feeling under less pressure on their nights out. People are embracing the change and there is clearly no support for a return to the past and fixed closing times. What is also pleasing is the widespread appreciation of the role pubs play in community and social life.

“While the term ‘24-hour drinking’ remains an obsession of headline writers, it is a million miles away from the day-to-day experience of pubs and their customers. Pubs have extended their hours modestly, usually at the weekend, and clearly, as this poll shows, people are not going out that much more and not staying out that much later than they did before the law was changed.”

On another topical issue, people are firmly opposed to a 10% increase in alcohol taxes — as proposed by the Alcohol Health Alliance a fortnight ago — by a margin of about two to one (51% to 27%).

In terms of drinking behaviour on a night out, 14% say they usually have a few drinks at home before going out. This is significantly more prevalent among younger adults — over one third (37%) of 18- to 24-year-olds and nearly one in five (19%) 25- to 34-year-olds start their evening in this way. In contrast, only 12% of 35- to 44-year-olds and 4% of those 45 and over drink in this way.

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