Starmer could allow pubs to stay open for longer to boost the economy

Keir Starmer is planning to cut “red tape” which prevents pub from having food pop-ups and live music.

The Prime Minister has said pubs are the “beating heart” of the UK and Starmer has launched a four-week survey of landlords, their customers and those who neighbour the local boozer.

Some pubs and venues have been forced to call last orders for good due to noise complaints. Starmer’s “blitz” could see some pubs being granted longer opening hours, the BBC reports.

Starmer said, “Pubs and bars are the beating heart of our communities,” adding the government is “backing them to thrive.”

Starmer added, “This review is about cutting red tape, boosting footfall, and making it easier for venues to put on the kind of events that bring people together.

“When our locals do well, our economy does too.”

Business and trade secretary Peter Kyle said: “This review will help us cut through the red tape that has held back our brilliant hospitality sector, giving them the freedom to flourish while keeping communities safe.

“That is the balance we’re trying to strike.

“We’re determined to back small businesses and bring the buzz back to our high streets.”

Dan Maimone Head of Global Customer Experience at Harri said, “Later hours don’t automatically mean better margins. The proposed liberalisation of the UK’s licensing laws has been billed as a win for growth, but for operators, it’s a high-risk balancing act.”

“Extending trading hours without re-engineering labour models, sales forecasting, and team scheduling can quickly turn a ‘boost’ into a cost sink. Stretching staff hours on low sales volumes doesn’t build growth. It can erode it. The trends have changed over recent years and already seen many pubs close doors earlier due to low footfall.”

“The best operators know that the night-time economy is powered by precision, not just permission. Getting this right means using real-time data to align sales demand with labour deployment, protect team wellbeing, and maintain profitability across longer shifts. This isn’t a relief package. It can be strategic challenge. Those who connect the dots between licensing reform, workforce planning, and guest experience will be the ones who truly benefit from the British night out 2.0.”