Standing outside the pub, waiting for the door to open
It may be little more than a cosy evening round the snug fire in the company of a few regulars with the radio on for the chimes of Big Ben. Or it may be a special Star Trek-themed event with spectacular fireworks and an all-night disco. There's really no telling what pubs are planning to offer on Millennium Eve.
The fact that it's still a case of wait and see ("Managing the millennium", page 28) is hardly surprising, as so many factors remain uncertain. What do the public want? What rival attractions are there going to be on the night? What wages are staff going to demand, and will they turn up anyway? What hours are they going to work? And what are the licensing laws going to allow?
This last one is the crucial question. In true New Labour style, the Government has sought the opinion of trade and industry on the matter of permissible opening hours. "What are we going to allow? Well, what do you want?"
The deadline for submissions on New Year's Eve deregulation passed on 12 February, with the Government promising an answer "by the summer". According to John Grogan MP, chairman of the Parliamentary Beer Club's licensing reform panel, the announcement may be made earlier - by May or June, in fact. This, presumably, is "spring" in Parliamentary speak.
There are many opinions to take into account. The police, licensing justices, Home Office officials, suppliers, operators and the public - they all want, quite rightly, their two pennyworth.
And there's a lot at stake. Deregulation for this coming New Year's Eve is likely to set the scene for some time to come.A White Paper on further licensing deregulation is due out early next year, with Parliamentary time set aside for legislation in 2001. Given that the last major revision of licensing law was made in 1964, what happens on Millennium Eve may well have a bearing on the trading hours of pubs for the next 35 years. It'd better go well on the night.
Public order, or disorder, on New Year's Eve will be watched carefully, not least by a legion of fickle, one-time Conservative voters whom the Government is keen not to offend. That's why it is treading very carefully, weighing up the options. Open all night? Open until 4am? Normal hours, with late opening by arrangement? Oh, what's it to be?
The longer ministers tiptoe around the bar without making a decision, however, the harder it becomes for operators, particularly the large groups, to decide between a cosy evening by the fire or a Star Trek disco. And the later that sort of decision is made, the more chance there is of hasty and inadequate arrangements leading to unpleasant incidents.
Let's have some news now, please. After all, as one of the regulars in the saloon might say: "We have a right to know." n
Forbes Mutch
Editor Caterer & Hotelkeeper
