Licensees play waiting game for premises certificates

With only a week to go until the start of the new regime, close to three-quarters of licensees are still waiting for their premises licence certificates.

According to a poll on thePublican.com, 73 per cent of pubs still have no certificate and will be opening on November 24 facing the possibility of legal action and a fine of £500.

Some pubs are still waiting for confirmation of their hours as the Licensing Act comes into force.

Local authorities are struggling under the weight of administration, leaving licensees in the dark over what they should be doing on November 24.

Many publicans are still waiting for their personal licences to be sent through.

Despite assurances from the licensing minister, James Purnell, that neither councils nor the police will be heavy handed, the DCMS has confirmed that enforcement of the new regime is now a regional issue.

This could leave some pubs facing possible legal action because of the administration problems related to the Licensing Act.

John McNamara, chief executive of the BII, has warned the first 18 months of the new Licensing Act will be "hell", as the authorities struggle to handle the administration.

"I think the first 18 months (of the Licensing Act) will be hell in getting the administration right," Mr McNamara said.

However, he said that the "swingeing powers" being made available to police and local authorities would be positive in the long-run.

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), has been urging councils to get on with the job.

Neil Williams, spokesman for the BBPA, said: "We all accept this is a costly process."

On pubs that have not yet received confirmation of their new hours, he added: "We would assume pubs will be able to continue under their existing hours."

Advice issued by LACORS, ACPO and LGA​

Licensing authorities, as the bodies responsible for issuing licences and keeping records, will be in the best position to take the lead on 'administrative' action before formal enforcement is taken.

• Premises that have applied for their licence and are operating on the basis of their old licence would not generally be targeted unless levels of crime and disorder, nuisance or anti-social behaviour are of concern
• The steps a premises has taken to become licensed should be taken into account
• Premises which benefit from a temporary event notice and exceed the limits for qualifying events, for example by holding an event for more than 500 people, will be regarded as unlicensed
• Levels of crime and disorder and anti-social behaviour in and around unlicensed premises will be a key priority for police.