Pubs to open for 36 hours every New Year's Eve

Pubs will be able to open for 36-hours every New Year's Eve if a new reform is passed by parliament.

The draft reform, which proposes the permanent relaxation of licensing hours between 11pm on New Year's Eve and 11am New Year's Day, would also see public entertainment licences automatically extended.

Licensing minister Kim Howells said: "The relaxation of licensing hours at the millennium and last New Year's Eve was a great success. Citizens and visitors to this country were able to celebrate this special national occasion how and when they chose to. That is why it is time we introduced the relaxation of licensing hours as a permanent feature of our New Year's Eve celebrations."

It is expected that the reform will be in place for the coming New Year.

Related articles:​

Howells seeks trade views on New Year's Eve hours (25 April 2002)

Repeat of New Year's Eve licensing delays on the cards (11 March 2002)

Extended New Year's Eve opening hours gain support (15 January 2002)

Positive feedback from extended New Year opening (14 January 2002)

House of Commons approves plans for 36-hour opening for New Year (8 November 2001)