36-hour pubs fizzle out

Hard-headed drinkers hoping to enjoy a 36-hour New Year drinking bout will be hard-pressed to find a pub or club staying open that long.

Despite the introduction of new measures allowing pubs and clubs to stay open from 11am today until 11pm tomorrow, many publicans say they have no intention of remaining open non-stop for a day and a half.

Instead, they may take advantage of the extended opening hours to stay open late tonight, and then open again early tomorrow to supply the insatiable or hungover with beer and bloody marys.

Tony Payne, chief executive of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Association, said: "I would be very surprised indeed if even one pub stayed open for the full 36 hours, and the reasons why are obvious. First, a pub staying open that long would need a big clean-up, and it would be extremely difficult to stop everyone while you did it, or to clean round them. Then there are staffing issues, and the fact that it is illegal to serve a drunk person - which might be rather difficult to abide by if the pub's open for 36 hours.

"However I do know that all the licensees are very pleased with the flexibility this offers them, and many will open early tomorrow for, for example, champagne breakfasts."

For those used to celebrating New Year's Eve with a fireworks display, tonight is likely to be a damp squib. Mayor Ken Livingstone and the London Assembly have opted out of any celebrations, and most London boroughs are doing the same. Last year, after the Mayor, the Assembly, the transport authorities and the emergency services failed to organise the massive celebrations earmarked for the capital, the boroughs stepped into the breach.

On taking office, Mr Livingstone inherited money and some arrangements from the Government Office for London. He appointed Bob Geldof's events company 10 Alps to organise it, but the Met voiced concerns about overcrowding and transport arrangements were not finalised until too late.

A London Assembly inquiry largely cleared the Mayor and blamed the Government Office. It recommended that planning for any future large-scale event should begin at least 18 months in advance.

The Evening Standard has canvassed the London boroughs.

Barking and Dagenham: No fireworks arranged.

Barnet: Fireworks on New Year's Day at Copthall Stadium in Mill Hill. Mini-firework display at 4.15pm followed by entertainment interlude and then main fireworks at 6pm, for half an hour. Entry by ticket only. Tickets available free to Barnet residents. Requests with stamped addressed envelope to New Year's Day Fireworks, Copthall Swimming Pool, Great North Way, Hendon NW4 1PS. Ticket line 0208 457 9900.

Greenwich: Four-day celebration organised by Greenwich & Docklands-Festival. Every night from Friday 28 to Monday 31 December in the Cutty Sark Gardens. Pyrotechnic performances and fire wizardry , with an illuminated firebird created. Admission free, the 15-minute performance starts at 6pm.

Lambeth: New Year's Day display on Clapham Common, admission free. Fireworks will be lit at 8pm, the display will last 10-15 minutes.

No fireworks arranged in the following boroughs:

Bexley; Brent; Bromley; Camden; Croydon; Ealing; Enfield; Hackney; Hammersmith & Fulham; Haringey; Harrow; Havering; Hillingdon; Hounslow; Islington; Kensington & Chelsea; Kingston-Upon-Thames; Lewisham; Merton; Newham; Redbridge; Richmondupon-Thames; Southwark; Sutton; Tower Hamlets; Waltham Forest; Wandsworth; Westminster; Corporation of London.

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