Pubs and restaurants are set to take advantage of loosened-up laws on licence hours and out-of-doors dining.

And a total of four Hamilton city centre licensed premises have applied to have Euro-style pavement dining and permission to serve drinks until 3 a.m.

Port-O-Call and Lobster Pot restaurants and pubs The Beach and Docksiders have all applied to the Liquor Licensing Board under recently-passed laws.

But the moves could change the face of the city's Front Street as restaurants and bars take over the covered verandas bordering the sidewalk.

The Royal Gazette understands that the Corporation of Hamilton, who also have to approve applications, is keen to preserve under-cover walkways.

And one solution could be awnings on the edge of buildings to keep up continuous cover along Front Street.

Corporation of Hamilton Secretary declined to discuss the details of applications. But he said: "With regard to alfresco dining, we were one of the initiators.

"We were looking particularly at having it when the streets are closed, like on Harbour Nights. And obviously, it's proving to be a very popular idea.'' Front Street verandas -- although the property of businesses fronting on to them -- have traditionally been a right of way for pedestrians, offering shade and protection from rain.

Mr. Sherratt said: "What the Corporation is looking to do is make sure there is plenty of room for pedestrians -- people have traditionally enjoyed the protection of these verandas.

"We can't just close them off to the public without giving thought to what we are doing.

"We don't want a situation where there are bottlenecks along Front Street -- we're working with restaurants now to see how we could provide this facility and come to an agreement which is in the best interests of everybody.'' The Corporation has already started to widen the public sidewalk outside The Beach -- which lies directly opposite a cruise ship terminal -- in anticipation of a special licence for the bar.

Mr. Sherratt said: "The work will make the crossing shorter and safer for cruise ship passengers.

"And at the same time, it does give us more flexibility for people walking along that stretch of sidewalk if licences for alfresco dining are granted.'' Government passed the Liquor Licensing Amendment Act -- which loosened off the law and banned the sale of miniatures in grocery stores -- earlier this year in a bid to boost tourism and cut down of drink problems.

But furious nightclub owners -- threatened by bars being allowed to stay open to their 3 a.m. closing time -- warned the law change could be "the death knell'' for some clubs.

And they warned they could mount a legal challenge to fight extended licencing hours for bars.

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