Gothenburg is expected to be the first Swedish city to end alcohol service at 3:00 am. Now even the municipality officials are taking a stand, writes GP.
Today 16 bars have permits to sell alcohol until 5:00 am. But 2012 will be the last year with these service times. According to the new proposal alcohol service will end at 3:00 am and the bars will have to be vacated by 3:30 am.
Researcher Fredrik Spak's alcohol report and police comments about the city centre being "messy" were important considerations in the decision.
The Social Democrats, the Greens, the Left Party and the Christian Democrats all agree on the 3:00 am closure. But the Moderats and Liberals oppose the change. For example, Hampus Magnusson (Moderats) told GP that the change will hurt Gothenburg's status as an event city.
Annelie Silvander manager of the permit unit, who proposed a 3:00 am closure, told GP that it is not enough to just change the service hours. Other measures such as improved lighting, better late-night public transport and removing the "black cabs" are also needed to make the city centre safer.
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