Licence concern (From Gazette Series)

Licence concern

LIQUOR and public entertainment licence holders across the district are being urged to apply for their revised licenses as soon as possible.

To date, only 28 license holders, out of 480 in the Stroud District Council area, have sent in their applications to the licensing department.

The Licensing Act 2003, which came into force in February, means businesses must apply for their licences from their local council by August 6. Previously licences were obtained through the magistrates' court.

By a second date, thought to be November 2005, but not yet officially announced by Government, all applications must have been granted by the new licensing authorities or cease to operate.

It is thought that one reason for licensees dragging their heels is that the new system is substantially more expensive than the old one.

SDC's licensing officer Mike Lewis told the Gazette: "We have had 28 applications and we are over half-way through the process.

"Licence holders have to get their application in before August 6 otherwise they can't convert their existing licence and they would have to apply for a new licence by November or they would have to cease trading.

"We are quite concerned that people should have started making preparations for their applications to give us time to process them. Over 80 percent of applications we receive are being queried because they have omissions or errors. If we have to reject them, people may not be able to get them back to us in time.

"If they had to cease trading it would be an economic worry both for them and for the wider community."

Gloucestershire police have also asked licensees to ensure they apply for licences before the deadline.

PC Paul Francis, of the forces Community Partnership Department, said: "We are concerned that currently in the county only 50 applications have been made since February.

"We know that 3,000 applications in total are expected so within the next few months 2,950 licensees will be making applications to the councils.

"This will create a huge workload. We want people to get their applications in early to avoid the rush."