ALL pubs and clubs in Watford have been given permission to stay open for 36 hours over the New Year's Eve period, following a Government announcement this week.

All drinking establishments in the country will be able to serve alcohol continuously from 11am on New Year's Eve until 11pm New Year's Day and Watford MP Claire Ward has welcomed the news.

She said: "These are sensible measures that build on the similar arrangements around the time of the Millennium celebrations.

"Watford is an attractive town for people who want to party and I am sure licensing extensions to pubs and clubs will be popular to clubbers and all those celebrating the New Year in town."

Watford Council leader Vince Muspratt said: "I don't really think a 36-hour drinking session is needed, but I doubt many clubs and pubs will take advantage of it and will probably close when they were always planning to.

"Whatever happens, I hope people leaving premises will respect the fact people live near there."

Inspector Jeff Taylor, Hertfordshire Constabulary's community team leader for Watford borough, said local police had mixed views about the news.

But he thought the blanket extended licence would have more of an impact on residents near pubs in residential areas and would not have too big an impact on Watford town centre.

He said: "I expect there will be little impact on New Year's Day as many places will be closed because of the Watford versus Millwall game.

"From a business point of view, many landlords will not want to pay staff to work all those hours .

"On New Year's Eve, many of the larger places have their celebrations already arranged and although now they can serve alcohol all night they will still have to stop any entertainment and music in accordance with their public entertainment licence.

"We have mixed views about the 36-hour extension.

"It's more drinking time for people and people can get more violent the more alcohol they have.

"It does not really address local needs.

"While it clarifies the position for everyone it does not take into account local residents' enjoyment of peace in their communities."

As a safeguard against too much disturbance, members of the public and the police can apply to magistrates courts for restriction orders on a particular establishment if it's planning to stay open all night and residents are worried about disturbance.

In order to do this effectively the applications must be made by Friday, December 21.

Councillor Tim Williams, leader of Watford Council Conservative group, said he thought the Government's safeguard measures were redundant as there is not enough time for people to seek restriction orders.

He said: "I think it's a load of old hogwash. I am roughly in favour of extended hours in general, as long as councils can have control locally and not just have to accept a blanket policy."

Mrs Irene Adams from the Town Centre Residents Association said she thought town centre residents would not be happy about the news.

She said: "I don't think anyone is going to like this. It could cause mayhem.

"If people behaved themselves and had respect they can stay out as long as they like but they don't.

"They don't seem to care that when they come back at 2am or 3am they are walking through a street with houses where people are sleeping.

"They can make a lot of noise and go to the toilet in the street."

December 15, 2001 17:00