North Norfolk set to award most 24-hour licences

North Norfolk looks likely to be the most-densely packed region for pubs with licences for 24-hour opening after the council authorised the first round-the-clock licence.

North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) has granted a 24-hour licence to the Fishing Boat in East Runton, near Cromer. The licensing sub-committee upheld the application despite objections from around 15 locals.

Tony Gent, licensing team leader with NNDC, said around 80 locals supported the application and the sub-committee agreed with their views. Gent said he expected another 24-hour licence to be granted to the White Horse, which is only 20 yards from the Fishing Boat.

Gent said that he had advised pubs within the area to apply for continuous opening, even though most were unlikely to trade much beyond their present hours.

'You have to look at the most common cause of complaints, which are lock-ins and serving after permitted hours. I told licensees that if they applied for 24-hour opening, they could never be accused of committing such an offence.

Gent also advised licensees 'there were lots of good, sound reasons why they should consider a 24-hour licence, such as giving flexibility to show sport at unusual times.

Twelve of the 92 applications received so far, from the 800 outlets in the NNDC area, have applied for 24-hour opening.

Sue Cox, licensee of the Fishing Boat, said she did not intend to alter the pub's midday to 11pm trading pattern significantly, saying: 'With the new licence, I have the flexibility to open if there are big football or rugby matches being played early in the morning.