PUBS and clubs in East Lancashire could be open to sell alcohol for 36 hours from lunchtime on New Year's Eve until closing time on New Year's Day.
The government is considering allowing the unprecedented drinking hours as a permanent feature of the New Year's celebrations, it was announced today.
For the first time ever this could allow pubs to be open during the hours of normal Sunday morning Christian family worship when New Year's Day falls on the Sabbath.
Licensing Minister Kim Howell is now seeking views on the radical proposal.
He has put out a consultation document on allowing licensed premises to open on a permanent basis at 11am each New Year's Eve and stay open, if they wish, until 11pm on New Year's Day.
This would be an unbroken 36 hours which would give licensees the flexibility to open at times to suit their customers demands and allow national celebrations.
After the consultation exercise, the government will consider whether to bring in the reform in time for New Year's Eve 2002.
The government wants people's view by June 19.
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