Re - talk about restricting off-licence hours, (broadly) there are two types of people who buy drink in off-licences -

1. People who want a quiet drink at home, and
2. People who want to drink at a (potentially substantial) gathering/house party.

Grp 1 aren& #39;t a problem.
(1/4)

If off-licence hours aren& #39;t & #39;reasonable& #39;, govt will frustrate people, and push some from Grp 1 to Grp 2 - worsening problem.

Also, if off-licences close at & #39;end of work& #39; time - 6pm, this is encouraging a rush to off-licences between 5pm and 6pm - worsening problem.
(2/4)

Two types of people in Group 2 -

A. & #39;Spontaneous& #39; party people.
B. & #39;Planned& #39; party people.

Group B will find alcohol regardless of off-licence opening hours.

If off-licence hours are to be reduced, Group A can be discouraged by closing off-licences between 8:30pm/9:30pm
(3/4)

The problem is the behaviour - people in close contact at a party - not the off-licence.

Treating people like children doesn& #39;t encourage good behaviour, and & #39;Prohibition& #39; has NEVER worked - it always causes more problems than it fixes.
(4/4)