House of Commons approves plans for 36-hour opening for New Year

The House of Commons Deregulation and Regulatory Reform Committee has today given its approval to plans for 36-hour opening over New Year.

The decision effectively gives a green light to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to press ahead with a deregulation order that will see a repeat of the opening hours enjoyed by pubs over the millennium.

It is hoped the order will be rubber stamped by early December, although there is still concern within the trade that licensees will have only three weeks to arrange special events.

The House of Lords also approved the move in a written statement last month.

The Commons' decision, which had not been expected until next week, is a sign of the Government's determination to push the order through following criticism from the trade last year when a similar order was not passed in time.

Dr Kim Howells, minister with responsibility for licensing at the DCMS, said: "We are now optimistic that Parliamentary approval will be given to the necessary amendments to the Licensing Act 1964, and that the first ever regulatory reform order under the Regulatory Reform Act 2001, will be completed in good time for New Year's Eve.

"This has been an extraordinarily difficult year for both the hospitality industry and for ordinary people who deserve the chance to have a thoroughly good time as they celebrate the New Year."

The trade welcomed the news. Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of Business in Sport and Leisure, said: "I am delighted that the Committee has agreed to allow late opening on New Year's Eve. This is a real step forward in putting this measure on a permanent footing."