UNTIL relatively recently, York was closed to new bars. Drunken violence was a serious problem, and the authorities were not prepared to risk making a bad situation worse by sanctioning new licensed premises.

When this policy was relaxed, the impact on York was immediate. Many bars opened, revitalising the city's nightlife.

To discourage drunken disorder, the licensing authorities imposed a list of conditions on the incoming bars, such as waiter service. The owners, desperate to get a foothold in York's lucrative licensed trade, seemed willing to work with the authorities. They were quick to agree to the strict conditions.

But now it seems many of these promises have been quickly and easily discarded. Traditional pub licensees have long complained that the newcomers are flouting the rules and getting away with it. We investigated and discovered that much of their unhappiness was justified.

Only one of the seven bars we visited, City Screen, complied with all the conditions of its licence.

The necessity for the many conditions is made clear in York's licensing protocol: they are there to encourage "a social, rather than binge-drinking culture".

A bar where customers are seated and served by waiters to the sound of background music will have a civilising effect.

Unfortunately, the atmosphere we found in several of the new bars was altogether different. Drinkers had to fight their way to the bar and shout over deafening music to make themselves heard. Is it any coincidence that we reported an outbreak of drunken disorder in York city centre on Friday night?

It is not fair to City Screen and the many traditional pubs who comply with their licensing conditions to see other bars flouting theirs.

York police, who have a hard-earned reputation as pioneers in licensing regulation, must renew their commitment to enforce these necessary regulations. At tomorrow's Brewster Sessions, every licensee should be warned that they risk losing their licence if they seek to evade their responsibilities.

Updated: 10:18 Wednesday, February 07, 2001