'Check PEL renewal date' warning as host's extension expires

Licensees who want to vary their Public Entertainment Licences (PEL) are urged to take a close look at the PEL renewal date to avoid unnecessary expense.

Southampton host Jane Wisniewski was effectively forced to pay twice for her PEL after her variation was accepted just one month before its renewal date. The Punch lessee wanted to extend opening hours at her Kolebka pub in Southampton until 2am.

Wisniewski sent off the application form to vary the PEL on 15 March, and she was finally granted the extension at a council committee meeting on 1 June.

But when she received the new PEL in the post last week, included in the envelope was a note saying that the PEL comes up for renewal on 30 June.

This means that she has to pay the same sum, £300, again, almost immediately.

She also has to endure the cost and expense of re-notifying the police and fire officers, and taking out another newspaper ad.

'This renewal is meaningless, said Wisniewski. 'As soon as I get this done I've got to apply for a new licence. When I applied for it they didn't say it would expire on 30 June. It's insane.

Morning Advertiser legal expert Peter Coulson said: 'If you apply for a variation of an existing licence you may do it during the duration of the existing licence. But it always renews at a particular time of year. All PELs have a one-year duration. She has really been caught here. There's not really much she can do about it.