REVELLERS hoping to party like it's 1999 are in for a shock - the area's major restaurants and hotels are planning to close for the historic event!

Very few restaurants in Preston and South Ribble are going to open their doors for December 31, 1999, leaving party-goers at a loss as to where to spend the final eve of the Millennium.

Even though licensing laws look set to be relaxed - agreed by both South Ribble and Preston borough councils - to give pubs, restaurants and hotels the chance to party non-stop for 36 hours, only a few places will open.

And, although owners are unsure of how much it will cost, they know they are guaranteed a high demand for places.

Even Preston's best-known restaurants say the odds of them opening are slim.

Ian Boasman's Bistro French will be locking its doors on New Year's Eve and Paul Heathcote has yet to decide whether to open his two restaurants in the area - at Longridge and Winckley Square.

Bosses at Tiggi's, in Canon Street, say they will close.

The only town centre venue which will open is Canon's, in Canon Street, and customers will have to pay more than usual.

A spokesman for the restaurant said: "We want to hold a big buffet on the night, at around £55 a head."

And if you're planning on booking into local hotels for the New Year celebrations, think again.

The Forte Posthouse, in Ringway, has not announced its New Year's Eve plans, while The Pines Hotel, at Clayton-le-Woods, has already decided to close, as has the nearby Brook House Hotel.

A spokesman for Bamber Bridge's Novotel said: "We will be closing two hours earlier than normal on New Year's Eve." That means diners at their restaurant will leave at 10pm.

Barton Grange Hotel will host a dinner dance, but no accommodation will be available.

The subject of what will happen on December 31 was the discussion of a recent meeting of South Ribble Borough Council's licensing committee.

Coun Sheila Long told the committee: "I am not surprised so many places will be closed. The staff want to be paid so much."

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