HOTEL BARS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 31, 5 August 1914, Page 2

HOTEL BARS

A SURPRISE FOR THE TRADE. As the result of a. recent judgment or the Appeal Court, the police have notified hotelkeepers that bottle stores must be closed to business, and that hotels must have only one public bar. Inspector Ellison states that the police. haVe received instructions to onforco section 200 of the Licensing Act, which provides that "after the granting of a publican's license, no bur beyond theono bar stated on the license shall be 6pened or used in or upon tho licensed promises. (2) If any person opens or uses more than one stated bar for the sale of liquors, or knowingly permits the same to be opened or used for such sale, he shall be deemed to havo been guilty of selling without a license." This section of the Act only relates to public bars— that is, to bars having adnuttance directly from the street. Some of the licensees had erected double doors and porches, under the impression that it would make them private bars within: the meaning of the Licensing Act; but a recent decision of the Appeal Court was to the effect that double doors or a porch did not remove a bar from the definition of a "public bar." A breach of section 240 of the Act renders ijny person liable to a fine not exceeding £6 for every specific offence. ihe Licensed Victuallers' Association, some of whom state that the decision will have the effect of closing their bottle stores, will meet to-morrow to consider the matter and endeavour, if possible, to have the Act amended. j