YORK'S licensees said today they were still in the dark about how new licensing laws will affect their businesses.

But they reassured residents that round- the-clock drinking in the city was not an option, despite the Government's relaxation of drinking hours.

The comments came as City of York Council began consultation into how it will apply the new Licensing Act, when responsibility for licensing passes from magistrates to the authority next year.

Frank Cartin, landlord of the Snickleway Inn and former president of York Licensed Victuallers' Association, said the industry would be unsure what the new laws will mean until the council had finalised its policy.

"They call it 'relaxation' but it will not be as relaxed as everyone thinks," he said. "They can shut you down very easily."

Jack Merry, who runs The Ackhorne and The Tap & Spile, also said licensees were still "in the dark".

"We really don't know much about it," he said. "Twenty-four hour drinking is not going to happen. I can see one or two big breweries having a couple of flagship places in somewhere like London, but it is not realistic to do it."

Kennedy's Caf-Bar, in Little Stonegate, is one of a handful of venues in York which currently enjoys extended drinking hours.

Manager Ange Golliger said: "It's new to everyone, including the council. But residents will still be able to object to applications and no one is going to open 24 hours a day."

Under the changes, a single, integrated licensing scheme will apply to all venues providing entertainment, selling alcohol and serving late-night refreshment.

Major differences to the current set-up will include an end to the standard pub closing time and late-night takeaways will need to apply for a licence for the first time.

A licensing policy for York will be drawn up and transition to this new system will begin on February 7, becoming fully operational by November 2005.

Plans for a public meeting, next Tuesday, to hear residents' concerns, were approved by members of the council's licensing and regulatory committee on Friday.

Licensees' representatives, local businesses and the emergency services will also give their views.

Coun Gil Nimmo, chairman of the licensing committee, said he was keen to set up a system similar to planning forums or parish councils to keep residents abreast of licence applications.

Updated: 10:40 Tuesday, September 07, 2004