More than half of the pubs run by Britain’s biggest landlord are exercising their right to stay open longer under the government’s revamped licensing regime, a survey has revealed.

Fifty-six per cent of Punch Taverns’ leased, tenanted and managed outlets said they had extended their trading hours since the Licensing Act 2003 came fully into force.

The majority of extensions (69 per cent) are used at weekends, while a third are limited to special occasions such as Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

But the actual extent of the additional hours traded – mostly two hours or less – should put paid to suggestions from outside the trade that the nation’s pubs were planning to open around the clock.

Francis Patton, customer services director for the Burton (Staffordshire) based pub company, explained: “We always believed 24 hour opening was a myth and this latest estate research confirms it.  Of the pubs we surveyed, 90 per cent are trading no more than two hours extra into the evening.”

When asked whether or not extended opening hours were generating additional revenue, only 44 per cent said ‘yes’.

Francis Patton said: “The Act gives pubs flexibility, which they can and are passing onto their customers.  It was never going to be a huge money spinner for them.

“What it is doing in many pubs is making drinking up time a more relaxed affair.  The pressure to start drinking earlier or squeeze a few extra drinks in before last orders is gone, and that is good news for the industry’s ongoing commitment to trading professionally and responsibly.”

Punch retailers such as Chris Wittwer agree.  He trades an additional hour at his pub, the Royal Oak in Exminster, Devon, from Monday to Saturday.

Chris said: “We are attracting new customers thanks to the flexibility we now have.  However, people may stay longer but don’t necessarily drink more, they just pace themselves better.  Binge drinking is not a problem. 

“Our biggest growth area has actually been food and the extra hour means customers can take their time over a meal and still enjoy a relaxed drink afterwards.”

Looking ahead, Punch sees a major growth opportunity for pubs being trading extensions at the other end of the day – early morning.

Fourteen per cent of Punch pubs currently open early for breakfast or morning coffee, but Francis Patton hopes more will follow suit.

“We’re telling our retailers they can capitalise on the growing café culture in our society and capture trade currently enjoyed by premium coffee bars and sandwich shops,” he said.

“Trading longer hours isn’t just about selling more alcohol.  It’s a chance to broaden your horizons and offer customers the products they want at a time that suits.”

Punch quizzed its lessees and pub managers on the Licensing Act.  The results are being announced under the banner of the ‘Punch Papers’, which will become a regular report from the pubco to voice the opinions of its retailers.

Ends

For further information please contact Nick Trueman or Floyd Jebson at Seal Communications on 0121 200 0780.