There could be sitting room only for drinkers at new pubs in York city centre under new licensing rules.

Police believe a ban on "vertical drinking" will help reduce the risk of violence.

And licences could also insist on Continental-style table service by waiters to help create a genuine European caf bar culture.

Licensing officer Arthur Swaine said today that the new rules were aimed at this stage at applications to open new pubs, which nowadays were invariably "concept pubs" described as caf bars.

When such bars were proposed, the planning and licensing authorities were told they would have a nice continental atmosphere, with people seated at tables to have a drink.

But such bars had tended to end up on an evening as pubs, with drinkers standing around. He said York police were determined to make the city a safer and less violent place, and research had shown that there was far less violence when drinkers were seated.

The terms of the new licences would be agreed in advance with breweries, and seated bars had just been agreed with breweries planning to open premises in the city centre. He said existing pubs would not be affected at this stage, although they could be in future when licences came up for renewal.

Mick Johnson, president of York and District LVA, said today: "My initial reaction is it's absolute nonsense. It's part of our heritage to stand at the bar, talking to the landlady or barmaid. It's part of the pleasure of going to the pub."

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