Pub groups want later tubes
The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) and Westminster Licensees Association (WLA) joined forces today to support a deal to bring late night tubes to London.
The two organisations have been campaigning for later running of the tubes since 2002, arguing that the transport system should respond to the new Licensing Regime.
London's pubs and bars have been crying out for a transport system which better meets the needs of their customersNick Bish, ALMR chief executive .
Nick Bish, ALMR chief executive said: "Yesterday's pay deal between London Underground chiefs and unions is a landmark agreement and should see 1am running of the tube later this year. London's pubs and bars have been crying out for a transport system which better meets the needs of their customers and this is a first step in the right direction.
"We all know that public transport is one of the major flashpoints for late night disturbance, and it is simply commonsense to ensure that there is adequate late night transport home at the end of an evening out.
"A more gradual and easier dispersal at the end of the evening will reduce disorder, noise and disturbance - that has to be good news for everybody."
Philip Matthews, Chairman of the Westminster Licensees Association and Managing Director of the Rock Garden group of restaurants added: "The WLA has been campaigning for later running of the tube since 2002 and we urged all Mayoral candidates to support this in 2004. Hopefully this deal will mean that later running will be a reality before the next round of elections."
However, he went on to urge all sides to do more to address the problem of late night transport in the West End: "This deal is welcome, but it can only be a first step - the tubes will still stop running well before many late night venues close.
"London deserves the best transport system in the world. Instead we have an inefficient, out of date one which is severely lacking in investment and fails to meet the needs of a modern and dynamic city, and in particular those of the late night economy and its customers. We need an action plan to get towards 3am running over the weekend as soon as possible."
