LANDLORDS and managers of clubs, pubs and hotels in west Wiltshire are tempted to apply for 24-hour licences, following the introduction of new laws on Monday, but few actually plan to stay open later than 2am.

Licensed premises can now apply for 24-hour drinking, after The Licensing Act 2003 came into force on Monday.

A Wiltshire Times survey this week has revealed that although some landlords and managers may apply for later licences, none intend to start staying open all night.

A spokesman for Chicago Rock Caf, in Trowbridge, said: "It's too early for us to say at the moment but we will give our venue managers the opportunity to extend if they want to. But we won't be adopting 24-hour drinking."

Carole Morris, manager of the Ludlow Arms, in Market Place, Westbury, is appealing against a decision by magistrates not to grant the pub a late licence until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.

She said: "I think 2am is about late enough. I don't think people really want to be out drinking later in the morning but it would be quite nice to get an extra hour in the week and on Sunday."

Barry White, co-director at Club Ice, Westbury, said: "It wouldn't be by a lot if we did."

The club already has a license until 2am from Wednesday-Saturday and Mr White said they might apply for an extra hour on a Saturday.

Stewart Pease, licensee of the Old Bell, in Market Place, Warminster, said owner Wadworth is in the process of applying for increased hours.

He said: "We are not going to go much later than we already are. We've got bedrooms above us so we don't want people to be put off staying here because of the noise. We want to extend it to about 1am."

David Deacon, owner of the George Inn, Longbridge Deverill, near Warminster, said he would not be applying to extend opening hours at the pub itself, just in the Wylye Suite, which is used for functions such as weddings.

He said: "At the moment we have to apply each time we have a wedding reception but if we have a licence in place for that part of the hotel we won't have to do that."

Gemma Simons, bar manager at the Bunch of Grapes, in Silver Street, Bradford on Avon, said: "I think we are going to try on the weekends to extend until midnight or 1am and if it's busy stay open until that time, but not for 24 hours."

John Stewart, manager of the Tavern, in Market Place, Melksham, said: "We open until 2am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and that's quite late enough.

"I don't think it would be worth it. People have only got so much money and 2am is more than enough."

Rose McNally, landlady of The Lamb, in Mortimer Street, Trowbridge, said she would not be applying for extended hours beyond the 2am opening time they already have Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

She said: "I think that's already too many hours. It's hard work."

Richard Grieshaber, landlord at the Parson's Nose, in High Street, Melksham, which already has a late license until 2am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, said: "I think that's quite enough. I don't think anybody should be working any later than that."