Help with Licensing Application

We have agreed a takeover date of 7th June with Punch for our first pub.

My husband has been to see the Licensing Sergeant and has completed all the forms to apply for a Protection Order. However when he took the forms into Court yesterday they told him the next sitting is 7th June at 2.15pm.

We are very concerned about this as we will be moving in in the morning and may be in a situation where we can't trade if he is refused the licence.

We are newcomers to the trade but have both worked in pubs for a number of years, my husband has 10 years experience. How likely is it that he will be refused the licence? I was speaking to a friend last night who scared me to death with horror stories where licences have been refused.

I have spoke to a friend who is a magistrate today and she said to speak to the court and see if there is any way we can get in sooner, but when my husband went in yesterday he said they weren't very helpful and said they couldn't give him any help or guidance.

I have tried to ring our BRM at Punch this morning but he's unavailable all day. We go on holiday tomorrow for a week so really need to get this sorted in our minds before we go.

Can anyone offer any advice?

Also is it normal that we are being made to apply the 'old' way, surely we should be doing it the 'new' way?!?

Please helpa very stressed & confused

Rachael Rachael West