Pub later-hours plan will not offset costs and wider difficulties, say landlords

The plan to loosen licensing laws would make it easier for pubs to stay open later. Photograph: Andy Hall/The Observer

Plans to make it easier for pubs to open until the small hours will not offset the “toxic” combination of high costs and hard-up drinkers staying at home, industry figures have predicted, as they called for more help to cope with costs.

The warning comes in response to government proposals to loosen licensing laws affecting pubs in England and Wales in order to boost “the British night out” and help the hospitality sector.