PUB landlords have called 'time' over a move that could see the price of booze soar.

Medical experts this week launched a campaign for higher taxes on alcohol and a 9pm watershed on TV booze adverts. They are concerned about excessive boozing among young people and seasoned drinkers.

The Alcohol Health Alliance, which includes several of the medical royal colleges, the British Liver Trust and the charity Alcohol Concern, will urge greater regulation of the drinks industry when the government carries out its promised review of the 24-hour drinking laws introduced in 2005.

Publicans in Manchester say the legislation has had a positive impact in the city, staggering the times when people leave venues and reducing crime and disorder.

They have now called for the government not to introduce more stringent measures for city centre licensees to face.

Phil Burke, of the Manchester Pub and Club Network, which represents 600 licensees across the city, said: "We've had a really good response over the past two years.

"We have responsible licensees working to strict government, council and police regulations. They should not be penalised by higher taxes and tighter regulations because of other, irresponsible vendors and drinkers. We cannot afford measures that will drive business out of the city.

Impact

"I believe the government should address the impact of the laws on a city-by-city basis."

The Alliance will also ask for better prevention and treatment programmes and compulsory warnings about alcohol's harmful effects to be included in drink advertising or promotion. Coun Neil Swannick has backed the city's licensees but stressed the importance of public safety.

He said: "I believe that Manchester has managed the transition to more flexible drinking hours very effectively.

"Since taking on the new responsibilities for licensing, the council has been successful in requiring the majority of licensees to manage their premises responsibly and now concentrates its resources on enforcing against a few problem premises.

"We are always looking at new ways to discourage excessive drinking which affects public safety.

"One of our latest priorities is to tackle irresponsible promotions which encourage young people to drink to excess, potentially damaging their own health and putting themselves and others at risk."

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