Less than 600 pubs have 24-hour licences, says DCMS

Less than 600 pubs across the country have 24-hour licences, says a new survey from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

On the eve of the year of the Licensing Act the government has confirmed there has not been an explosion in round-the-clock drinking, with the majority of venues using them only for special occasions. Evidence also suggests there have been only modest changes to closing times from Sunday to Thursday.

Licensing minister Shaun Woodward added: "There also appears to be a genuine spread of closing times - bringing an end to the old madness of everyone being thrown out onto the street at the same time, contributing to crime and disorder."

Home Office minister Vernon Coaker claimed the Act a success arguing that the Violent Crime Reduction Actl will allow local authorities to further tackle drink-related disorder. "The Licensing Act 2003 provides a robust framework for regulating individual licensed premises," he said.

Commander Chris Allison, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) lead on licensing, added: "ACPO fully supported the majority of the provisions of the new Licensing Act and there is evidence that a number of the new powers and procedures that we have, such as the ability to review licences, are being used to good effect in many places across the country."

The new survey suggested: ​

* There are more than 200,000 premises licences and certificates in place

* Around 3,000 of these are 24 hour licences - less than two per cent of the total

* There is no evidence of a move to a new standard closing time - approximately one fifth of pubs, bars and clubs close by 11pm at the latest, roughly a half by midnight and around four fifths by 1am at the latest

* There have been around 600 completed licensing reviews, and approximately 100 licences have been revoked as a result.

*Broken down by premise type, the split of 24 hour licences in force is approximately:​

- 20 per cent pubs, bars and clubs

- 25 per cent large supermarkets

- 20 per cent convenience stores

- 35 per cent others, including hotels.