Emergency! Rome ice cream shops to close at 1 am

In the latest attempt to crack down on drunken violence and thuggery in the Italian capital, ice-cream parlours will soon be obliged to close by 1 am.

Rome's right-wing mayor Gianni Alemanno has been seeking effective ways to curb the loutish late-night drinking habits of young Romans and visitors in some parts of the city centre, particularly Trastevere and Campo de' Fiori.

Other businesses required to haul down the shutters will be pizzerias, bakeries, pastry shops, yogurterias and the cafes specialising in roast meat and vegetables known as rosticcerias.

Rome-lovers see the move as a direct assault on some of the city's most sensual pleasures. (Full)


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