Minister calls time on noisy pubs

The Government is to provide powers for licences of pubs, clubs and wine bars to be revoked on Sundays if the longer opening hours they are to be allowed causes excessive noise, annoyance or disorder.

That was disclosed yesterday by Michael Forsyth, Minister of State at the Home Office, as the Bill allowing Sunday afternoon drinking in England and Wales was published.

The Bill allows pubs and other on-licence premises to open from noon to 10.30pm; permits off-licences to open from 10am to 10.30pm; and allows supermarkets to sell alcohol during Sunday trading hours. The law is similarly being eased for Christmas Day and Good Friday.

But the Bill also provides powers to restrict opening to present Sunday hours where longer opening causes annoyance, and ministers have left the option of adding powers that would revoke Sunday licences.

The change to Sunday drinking follows social trends figures showing that visiting the pub is the most popular away-from-home leisure activity for adults.