Madam, - Kitty Holland's report of December 16th on the decline of nightclubs confirms what all of us in the sector have known for months.
The principal aim of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 was to reduce the incidence of public order offences, with restricted closing times as the core measure. The Act has been unsuccessful in this regard, as evidenced by Supt Joe Gannon's observation that there has "been no reduction in levels of disorder".
The vast majority of customers know their limits and have a set number of drinks regardless of whether they go out at 9pm or 11pm. Early closing times do not reflect modern working hours and have the side effect of encouraging people to take their drink over a shorter period. A far more sensible approach would be to allow licensed premises staggered closing times between 2.30am and 4.30am as is normal practice across the EU.
The increased cost of Special Exemption Orders (which allow premises to open until 2.30am) has hit smaller operators in particular. The blanket charge of €410 per night is incredibly unfair and, if left unchanged, will result in the closure of many smaller venues, costing jobs, increasing the incidence of "super pubs" and reducing competition for the consumer. No one would argue that venues should not make a contribution to policing costs, but it would be much fairer to link the charge to a premises' annual licence fee, which is based on turnover.
The one-size-fits-all approach has not been successful and the forthcoming Sale of Alcohol Bill must include reforms if the Government wishes to avoid further job losses in this hard-pressed industry. - Yours, etc,