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There has been a long debate about alcohol licensing of 24-hour venues in Britain. The debates have not been
diminished after the enforcing of the licensing act two years ago. On the contrary, they have been refueled by the
rumors that the British Government is about to re-state its position on this controversial subject. In the meantime,
new facts and figures have confirmed or infirmed some hypotheses about 24 hour drinking license. To begin with,
many feared that there would be an explosion of 24 hour venues.

These fears have turned out to be unfounded. One of the reasons why the number of 24 hour venues hasn’t
increased in a significant manner is of financial nature. Many owners declare that it is not profitable to keep a 24
hour bar open because over the week people go to work and then no one can spend 24 hours in a bar drinking.
Instead, many have chosen to extend the opening time for the week end days, from Friday to Sunday. The law has
turned out to be more profitable to supermarkets and other selling premises, where alcohol can be only bought and
taken home or elsewhere to be consumed.