The chaos and confusion licensees are grappling with over their new licences has been predicted right from day one. So seeing it all unravelling is like watching a car crash take place as if in slow motion before your very eyes. We all knew the forms were too complicated; we all knew there were ambiguities in the wording; we all knew it would take much longer to get things sorted out than timetables allowed. Basically, we all knew there would be an all-mighty pile up.
And so it has proved. But there's no turning back, and nothing to do but crack on with the process as calmly as you can. And while you curse the people who devised all this appalling bureaucracy, do bear in mind that it can be done: Greene King Pub Partners has been working quietly with its licensees for months now preparing the forms, and has duly submitted them en masse. The lesson from that it is not to suffer alone, but to seek proper help from the professionals. They'll advise you on a multitude of little things, like whether background music needs to be included in your application, and how to word, and time, your notice in the classified section of your local newspaper.
The BII would be good people to contact: they've teamed up with lawyers who'll help you through the process. If you're not already a member, the annual fee would be more than worth it for this help alone.
Of course, life would be a lot easier if the Department for Culture, Media & Sport came back with a very speedy confirmation that grandfather rights aren't affected by licence alterations taking place now. And it would be a massive help if DCMS allowed licensees to send their completed form to one local government office, rather than a copy to all the various departments like health and safety and environmental health, as they're currently being asked to do. But, of course, don't hold your breath waiting for a rash of common sense to break out at DCMS.
The important thing is not to give up and bury your head in the sand. Councils may actually prove lenient if you've not filled in all the details properly, but there's no way they'll be lenient enough to give you your licence unless you bother to apply.