2005: New licensing laws
New licensing laws come into effect in England and Wales.
The new laws allow 24-hour licenses to sell alcohol to be granted to pubs, clubs and supermarkets. However, many premises are only extending their opening and closing times by a few hours.
Some fear a wave of alcohol-fuelled violence in the first weekend after the change, which ultimately failed to appear.
From the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Archives. Originally broadcast on 24 November.