Nightclub owners seek special opening hour permits

NIGHTCLUB owners are seeking amended legislation to allow for special opening hour permits which would help create 1,600 full-time jobs and pump €95 million into the economy.

Staggered closing times, increased security and better entertainment would all lead to a fall in public order offences, the new proposals claim.

Launching the proposed regulation for the industry yesterday, Irish Nightclub Industry Association chief Barry O’Sullivan said clubs were being crippled by antiquated and arbitrary rules which meant applying to individual courts to stay open late.