Pembrokeshire County Council has expressed serious concerns about the slow uptake by local licensees for liquor licences under new laws which come fully into effect later this year. To date, only three per cent of some 900 anticipated applications have been received and with only three months left to submit applications, there are increasing worries that many licensees will incur unnecessary advertising and other administrative costs if they miss the August 6 deadline. Said Gareth Watts, principal officer within the council's public protection division: "Despite almost unprecedented efforts to assist and advise the trade on the new regime over the last couple of years, we are in a position now where licensees are leaving their applications until the very last minute. "In some circumstances they are submitting applications which are missing crucial documents which means that they cannot be processed. We are asking all licensees now to ensure that their applications are in the process of being completed and that they should be aiming to submit very soon." The county council's licensing team has been running licensing surgeries on a Tuesday and Thursday since February and officers have been visiting parts of Pembrokeshire to talk to groups of licensees in order to ensure a smooth transition. The Pembrokeshire experience is however not unique. Only last week the Local Government Association expressed significant disquiet about the slow uptake nationally amongst licensees and that many businesses are still confused or lack any understanding about the new laws. Pembrokeshire County Council is encouraging licensees to contact the licensing section on 01437 775484 either to make an appointment to attend one of the licensing surgeries or to ask for advice on the process. Further details can be obtained on the Pembrokeshire County Council website http://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk">www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk Mr. Watts added: "At the end of the day, we want to continue working with local licensees and get the trade legal under the new system. "It is a matter, however, for the trade itself to ensure that the necessary licences and consents are in place before November in order to avoid difficulties. Operating beyond that month will be unlawful."
