21 June 2002
The London Assembly committee investigating this was told that allowing pubs and bars to 'open all hours' would be undermined by a lack of investment in infrastructure and personnel in the city.
Poor late-night transport links and the cost of additional policing to deal with potential violence by revellers top a long list of council and MPs' concerns, the Assembly's culture, sport and tourism committee was told on June 18.
Providing adequate services would 'add millions' to council costs, said John Cryer, Labour MP for Hornchurch.
Laws that would introduce 24-hour drinking were outlined in a Home Office white paper published last year. Andrew Cunningham, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's head of alcohol and entertainment licensing, told the committee that a Bill could be introduced as early as 2004.
But Simon Milton, Tory leader of Westminster City Council – which has 2,800 entertainment premises – told Public Finance: 'We have an obligation to our residents, and we're concerned about the level of policing that would be required in the West End, for example. The additional costs could be substantial. We don't want to pass these on to council taxpayers, so we'd prefer businesses to foot the bill on a "user pays" basis'.
The hearing took place as councils across the country were erecting screens in public squares and making special working arrangements to allow fans to watch the England v Brazil World Cup quarter-final on June 21.
PFjun2002
