A new law came into force on November 24th which allows pubs to stay open for much longer than had previously been permitted.

In this programme Callum looks at Britain's drinking culture and focusses on one of the many expressions in English that is related to the topic of drinking - 'to call time on something'.

Before listening to the programme look at the comprehension questions below. You can hear the answers in the programme. Check your understanding with the quiz from the Extras section. You can also download the script and the complete programme in mp3 format.

1: Approximately how many pubs are there in the UK?
2: Until this week what was the regular closing time of pubs?
3: What does the expression 'Time Please' mean when it's said in a pub?
4: How did the people Will spoke to feel about the new law?

Listen to Weekender
	Calling time on calling time

Words and expressions from the programme

to call time on something
to cancel something and bring an end to it

Example:
The government has called time on the no-tax experiment

a pub
a short form of 'A Public House' - a place where people can go to buy and drink alcoholic drinks

to get drunk
to drink too much alcohol so you are not able to control your speech or behaviour as normal

a licence
legal permission to do something

Example
A pub cannot sell alcohol without a licence.

binge drinking
when people drink a lot of alcohol very quickly, often just before a pub closes

Don't forget to try the comprehension quiz below.

Programme script (pdf - 52k)

Download this programme (mp3 - 1.5 mb)