United Kingdom
Half of pubs could miss licensing deadline
Leisure Media (United Kingdom, 26 July 2005)
A new information helpline went live yesterday to help the many thousands of licensees who appear likely to miss the 6 August deadline for applications for the new alcohol and public entertainment licences – which means they might risk prosecution or closure in the run-up to Christmas.
More than half of the 180,000 pubs, restaurants, bars, registered members’ clubs, cafés and takeaways in England and Wales have yet to submit their applications for the new licences, which come into effect on 24 November.
A straw poll of local authorities by Caterer and Hotelkeeper revealed that application rates ranged from 10 per cent in Nottingham to 50 per cent in Brighton and Hove.
Licensing minister James Purnell said: “We estimate that 40 per cent of licensees have now applied. This is a major step forward from where we were two months ago, but that leaves up to 60 per cent who still need to get their forms in. This information helpline enables them to get to grips with the new system and to apply by 6 August.
“If businesses don’t have a licence on 24 November, they risk prosecution.”
The new licensing laws enable licensees to apply for extended opening hours. However, everyone who sells alcohol, puts on entertainment or serves food after 11pm must apply for a new licence, even if they don’t want to change it.
Pubs, especially those owned by chains, seem to be the most on target with applications; the British Beer and Pub Association said that 70 per cent had submitted their forms. | End |
