Welsh alcohol law for review

Public vote on Sunday drinking set to be abolished

The Government looks set to abolish an ancient Welsh law allowing a regular public vote on whether to permit pubs to open on Sundays.

Licensing minister Dr Kim Howells is said to have agreed to review a Welsh law whereby every seven years towns and villages have the right to hold a mini referendum on Sunday opening. The results of this can force licensees across Wales to close their pubs all day on a Sunday, losing valuable trade.

One district remained dry up until the last vote in 1996. While it was hoped that this law would be surpassed by a new licensing system before the next vote in 2003, the failure to include the licensing proposals in the Queen's Speech last month is likely to delay reform until after 2003.

But trade leaders say Dr Howells has pledged to examine ways of abolishing the archaic legislation.

Rob Hayward, chief executive of the Brewers and Licensed Retailers Association (BLRA), said: "It is my understanding that he has asked for an urgent review to see if the law can be changed separately from licensing law reform."

The strongly religious anti-alcohol lobby in Wales has used its influence in the past to force a vote in many areas. Only 50 people have to request one before the local authority is obliged to organise a poll.

The last vote cost the trade several hundred thousand pounds in campaigning costs to persuade people to come out and vote for their local pub on the day.

Gareth John (pictured)​, executive officer of Licensed Victuallers (Wales), said he would be writing to Dr Howells urging him to act as soon as possible.

He said: "Since the Government seems to have dropped the legislation for licensing reform, the timing of the next vote means it has to do something about this. It affects pubs right across Wales."

He welcomed news that Dr Howells was understood to be looking into a possible amendment to change the law.

"We were told in the past that it had to be done through primary legislation as part of the reform bill but if it is now saying it can do it separately then that is good news," he added.

Authorities in Wales are also said to be in favour of abolishing the law because of the expense involved in organising the votes.