<P> Some long - standing traditions (indeed, legal requirements) have disappeared as a consequence . First, "permitted hours" gained a new meaning . Until the 2003 Act came into force on 24 November 2005, permitted hours were a standard legal constraint: for example, serving alcohol after 23: 00 meant that a licensing extension had to exist--either permanent (as for nightclubs, for example), or by special application from the licensee concerned for a particular occasion . There was also a customary general derogation permitting a modest extension on particular dates, such as New Year's Eve and some other Public Holidays . Licensees did not need to apply for these and could take advantage of them if they wished without any formality . Now, permitted hours are theoretically continuous: it is possible for a premises licence to be held which allows 24 - hour opening, and indeed some do exist . </P> <P> Most licensed premises do not go this far, but many applied for licences in 2005 that allowed them longer opening hours than before . However, as in the past, there is no obligation for licensees to use all the time permitted to them . Premises that still close (for commercial reasons) at 23: 00 during most of the week may well have licences permitting them to remain open longer, perhaps for several hours . Staying open after 23: 00 on the spur of the moment is therefore legal at such premises if the licensee decides to do so--perhaps because custom happens to be good . Of course, the service of alcohol must still cease when the actual licence closing time arrives . Only the holder of the comparatively rare true "24 - hour" licence has complete freedom in this respect . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section does not cite any sources . Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (August 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section does not cite any sources . Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (August 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr>

What time do pubs serve alcohol in england