All eyes in the brewing trade turned to Barnet this week as the borough became the first in London to extend pub opening hours under controversial licensing laws.
Barnet Council confirmed this week that Wetherspoons' Railway Bell pub in East Barnet Road, East Barnet, will be allowed to open for an extra 40 hours every week from November. The pub currently opens from 10am to 11.20pm, Monday to Saturday, and from 12pm to 10.30pm on Sundays, but is now likely to be dishing out breakfasts all week from 7am, a spokesman for Wetherspoons said. Alcohol will be served from 9am to 12.30am from Monday to Thursday and Sunday, with one hour drinking-up time, and until 1am on Friday and Saturday, with one hour drinking-up time.
The decision could have far-reaching ramifications for town centres in Barnet and nationally, with the result acting as a litmus test for other pubs, clubs, and restaurants.
Pubs and restaurants have been slow to apply for new licences since legislation came into force in February, with many waiting to see the outcome of the first applications. The Railway Bell's application was the first to have passed through the new licensing committee process in London, and one of the first in the UK.
Wetherspoons did not agree on changes to its application suggested by Barnet police, so the licence was dealt with by councillors, who granted the pub chain almost all its requests.
The decision has now set a precedent for the 900 licensed premises yet to have applied in Barnet, and the tens of thousands across the country according to licensing officer Sergeant Mark Altman, of Barnet police. He believes it will put a strain on the borough's already overstretched police resources.
Police also expect the majority of pubs in the borough to apply for at least one extra hour of serving alcohol. Borough commander Chief Superintendent Mark Ricketts is considering launching an appeal.
A spokesman for the pub chain said: "Wetherspoons is keeping a close eye on applications."
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