The government has opened a consultation on two new orders that are part of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011: early morning restriction orders (EMROs) and the late-night levy (LNL).Up for debate are several aspects of the legislation, including which businesses should be exempt from the rules or get a reduction.
The reforms are designed to reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour caused by alcohol - with one-fifth of all violent incidents currently taking place in or around a pub or club.
EMROs would enable licensing authorities to restrict the sale of alcohol between 03:00 and 06:00 on all or some days, while the LNL would allow licensing authorities to raise a contribution from late-opening alcohol retailers towards policing.
However, there is concern in the pub industry that the costs incurred could push some businesses over the edge.
The Publicans' Morning Advertiser said: "For a struggling operator aiming to open later on just a Friday or Saturday night, this could be the final nail in the coffin."
