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24 September 2014
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So Somerset


A man drinking beer

Somerset: 24-hour party place?

At midnight on Thursday 24 November 2005, new licensing laws came into effect, meaning some pubs and clubs in Somerset are able to stay open longer.


The new rules also mean some off-licences and supermarkets can sell alcohol at any time of the day or night.

The changes, brought in by the Licensing Act 2003 in the law, have been making the headlines throughout 2005.

But, in the Somerset County Council area, just 18 pubs and two nightclubs have been given 24-hour licences. A number of supermarkets have also been given them as well as one village hall.

In some towns in Somerset, you won't notice much of a change. In Taunton, for instance, the last clubs and pubs in the town centre are still going to close not long after 3am.

The one possible exception to this is Yeovil, where two clubs have been given 24-hour licences - Woods Wine Bar and Dukes.

Alistair O'Neil, the owner of Woods Wine Bar, said round-the-clock opening was a possibility for his establishment:

audioAlistair O'Neil >
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Mike Webb is the landlord of Taunton's only pub with a 24-hour licence, the Master Thatcher:

audioMike Webb >
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Andrew Enever visited one local in the village of Catcott, near Bridgwater, to see what they're planning to do:

audioStephen Field >
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You can listen to the opinions of people in Yeovil by clicking on the link on the right. You can leave your own views by using the form below.

last updated: 23/11/05
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