Hospitality employees are toasting the potential benefits of new extended licensing laws and are looking forward to more socialising, money and job flexibility, a recent survey found.

Caterer.com, a job-board for the hospitality sector, polled over 400 staff in the industry, with 55% saying they were keen to say goodbye to last orders.

Half of those polled think the laws will help their social life, 42% are anticipating the benefits of more flexible working hours, while 40% of respondents are looking forward to more pay.

Simon Taylorson, Caterer.com’s sales director, said: “Our results reveal that the hospitality workforce is open to change, yet I urge employers to consult with staff and find out their concerns.

“Everything from safety to how the extra hours will affect their personal lifestyles should be considered if companies are to retain the UK’s star bartenders.”