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Post by leonardo on Jan 23, 2005 11:01:15 GMT
As someone who does not drink alcohol (unusual for an Irish man I know but 'tis true the new 24 hour drinking rules will not effect me as much as others. But I was just wondering what other members think: Is it a good or bad thing?
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Michael
Member
... as you have passed through the ceremony of your initiation...
Posts: 326
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Post by Michael on Jan 23, 2005 11:13:18 GMT
Leo, I suspect that 24/7 drinking will affect everyone, even though you do not take part yourself you still have to leave your house from time to time.
And as for taking the licensing away from magistrates and giving it to the council to run, I think that has more to do with raising revenue. Not unlike those wonderful GATSO's that have increased disproportionately since the police now receive the revenue..... grumble grumble
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Post by leonardo on Jan 23, 2005 11:19:19 GMT
Right on Mick.
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Post by Trinityman on Jan 23, 2005 12:28:57 GMT
Leo
It's going to be a disaster.
Can someone please explain to me how the solution to our nation's worst and most embarassing trait is to increase the supply of alcohol?
It's like tackling gun deaths in the US by increasing the power of firearms available to the general public and saying that will make people more responsible.
The solution has be education, education, education. Once we have demonstrated that we can 'hold our liquor' then lets look at the licensing laws.
I'm becoming convinced I'm living in a mad-house ;D
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Post by taylorsman on Jan 23, 2005 13:16:59 GMT
I have strong views on this having been both Manager of a Pub for an owner and a Social Club Secretary.
The present rules are totally out of date. Magistrates and their Courts should be for the trying and punishment of the less serious criminals and not to regulate the selling of alcoholic drinks or as they still call them in their quaint old fashioned way "Intoxicating Liquors". The amount of Court and Police time which is wasted in publicans applying for extensions for parties, functions etc is ridiculous and if extending licensing hours where appropriate resolves this I am all for it.
Our work patterns have changed from bygone days. I for example currently work permanent 2 till 10 back shift Monday to Friday. If I want to meet someone for an after work drink I don't have a lot of time to do so. Now I agree that there are not many people who would want a pint of lager at 3.00am but I feel that the market will drive which pubs and where stay open and which close, exactly what is happening since all day opening came in some years ago, in quieter areas and on Mondays - Wednesdays many pubs close after lunch as in the old days and do not open till 6.00pm, only Thursday-Sunday being all day opening and Sunday for them. Obviously the locality of the pub must be taken into account and it would not be suitable in a residential area, also any pub which has a record of trouble, serving under age drinkers, etc should be refused 24 hour opening and as at present the Landlord could be fined or have his licence revoked.
When I left Scotland 33 years ago the hours there were harsh compared to England. Only Inns and Hotels could open on Sunday and 10.00pm was closing time every day. The dismal willies prognosticated that relaxing these hours and Sunday Opening would mean loads of drunken Jocks and trouble but the exact opposite took place as having more time men did not cram as many drinks into themselves in the hours of 5.00 till 10.00pm.
I say give this a chance and review it after say 5 years. As to drunkeness especially amongst younger people the answer is two pronged. Education on the matter of drink, how to enjoy a drink with friends or a meal without getting drunk and where needed real punishment for those who act like louts, perhaps banning orders from pubs for a period of time as well or instead of fines.
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Post by leonardo on Jan 23, 2005 18:49:15 GMT
When I lived in Paris for the best part of five years I never, ever saw anything like the behavour of some pub go-ers I saw in parts of London or, for that matter, here in my local town.
The British and Irish Governments really need to try something radical and the step being taken in the UK (Is it all over the UK?) might just work. Fighting fire with fire, comes to mind.
I agree with Steve and his five years trial. Hopefully the new opening times will have the effect the majority of us would dearly love to see.
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Post by Trinityman on Jan 23, 2005 19:06:06 GMT
I hope it works too, I really do, but I'm not sure that experiences around the world can be taken as an indication of success in the UK, as the big difference is that some English (and Scots and Irish to an extent) have a major immaturity problem when it comes to alcohol. Fingers crossed.
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Post by leonardo on Jan 23, 2005 19:51:48 GMT
Your right Bill. We, from these Islands, are a breed apart. But hopefully we will eventually be more like those on Main land Europe
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bod
Member
UGLE - MM (London), MMM RAM(Middx), OSM (London)
Posts: 1,296
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Post by bod on Jan 24, 2005 8:29:22 GMT
Alcohol consumption in Northern Europe shows up our common genetic heritage. All those viking and norse genes are having their effect! We've alway been quaffers and berserkers, unlike those with a healthy dose of romantic blood who prefer to quaff slowly and deliberately - while shrugging their shoulders and smoking Gitanes (or the equivalent).
Education would help, as would the media giving up it's obsession with showing young people 'out of their heads' on programs such as 'Ibiza Uncovered' - altho in this - as with all things - the british media has created a monster that it then leads the public outcry against. The drinks industry has a lot to answer for too - when tables and chairs get cleared out so that you can cram more bodies in, all the while knowing that if you stand up - you drink more.
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