London pub gets UK's first 24-hour drinks licence

The UK's first 24-hour drinks licence has been awarded to a pub in the City of London.

The Fullers-owned Swan Tavern pub in EC3 submitted its application in February and was granted its licence by the Corporation of London this week.

But tenants Adam and Jackie Pattinson believe they will rarely open around-the-clock and don't plan to run the pub any differently.

Adam Pattinson said: "If customers come in at 10 o'clock, we've now got the option of opening later. I can't envisage opening for 24-hours, but it's better to have the choice than be told we can't."

The landlord added that he didn't plan to take on any extra staff to cover the longer hours. "My wife and I will stay up if necessary. We're shut at the weekends, so we can always rest then."

The property is located in the financial heart of the capital and 90% of its punters are City regulars.

The licence was approved because it is not located near a residential area and no concerns were raised by police that the pub might become a flashpoint for trouble.

But a spokesman for the City of London said that certain restrictions had been agreed with the authorities about noise and the staging of events.

• JD Wetherspoon's has withdrawn its application for a 24-hour licence at Leeds railway station. A spokesman for the company said that it had taken the decision after fears were raised by police about the appropriateness of a 24-hour venue on the site.

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