Devon’s public health leaders have ‘significant concerns’ about extending licencing hours

Both the Devon County Council cabinet member and director of Public Health in Devon have expressed ‘significant concerns’ following reports that the Government is considering extending the licencing hours of pubs into the early hours in a bid to boost economic growth.

 It has been widely reported that pubs, clubs and restaurants could be allowed to extend their opening hours.

But Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, the cabinet member for Public Health and Steve Brown the service’s director said if the extension was enacted it would significantly impact on the authority’s work to reduce the harm caused by drinking.

In July the cabinet endorsed a nine-point plan to reduce alcohol deaths in Devon.

According to the data compiled in the latest annual Public Health report, alcohol is one of the main causes of preventable ill health, disability, and premature death in Devon.

In Devon alcohol-related deaths have increased by over 18 per cent (2006 – 2023) while deaths of under 75s from alcoholic liver disease has increased by over 40 per cent since (2001 – 2023) and hospital admissions have increased by 46 per cent in just seven years (2017 to 2023).

In response the cabinet supported nine recommendations which include working with all partners on the development of a Devon alcohol strategy, working with licencing authorities to limit the growth of licenced premises in problem areas, education and prevention work in schools and working with partners on the building blocks for good health including, employment and housing and community safety.

But Councillor Cottle Hunkin said that the move to extend hours would run ‘counter’ to the government’s stated aim to reduce the harm caused by alcohol.