COLCHESTER pub and club owners say new laws which prevent them running drinks promotions are confusing.

New rules, which come into force tomorrow under the Licensing Act 2003, prohibit licensees from “glamourising” booze by offering on special cheap drinks deals.

The law aims to clamp down on binge drinking, but Reeves Watson, chairman of Colchester Pubwatch, said there were “grey areas” in the new legislation.

Licensees say it is unclear if the restrictions meant pubs can no longer run “happy hour” promotions during which drinks are offered more cheaply for a short time.

Mr Watson explained: “We think it means you can no longer run a happy hour promo, so any promotions you operate will have to run for the entire session, rather than a limited period .

“But we need to confirm that, so we know exactly what we can and can’t do.”

Ralph Davis, owner of the Brewers Arms in Colchester, said: “Some of what has been introduced is black and white and some of it is not very clear at all.

“They don’t really stipulate what they are saying – it is very much left to us to work out what to do.”

Under the new law, ladies’ nights, “earlybird” deals, happy hours and all-inclusive deals appear to be banned.

“Bar FTSE”, where drinks prices go up and down in price during the evening, depending on their popularity, seem to be covered, as, apparently, are drinks promotions determined by the outcome of a sports event.

Alcohol can also no longer to be given away as a competition prize and promotional flyers and posters cannot “glamourise” getting drunk.

Simon Harvey, licensing manager for Colchester Council, agreed the legislation was “unclear”.

He said: “What you want from the guidance is for it to be definitive and clear. Personally, I’m not sure it is clear what the new law actually is.

“We need to talk to the police and Trading Standards to come up with some opinions on this. We don’t want people putting their own interpretations on the new laws and getting it wrong.”