Pub waiting for licence - for three years

A village pub licensee is still waiting to receive a new pub licence despite originally applying three years ago.

Susan Dobinson applied to vary the opening hours at the Market Cross Inn, in Great Clifton in Cumbria, when the new Licensing Act was introduced in 2005.

She was given permission to stay open until midnight on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. But despite paying an initial £100 and a renewal fee of £70 for the last two years she has still not been issued with a licence from Allerdale Borough Council.

Susan, who has run the freehouse for eight years, said: "I was one of the first to apply but I am probably the last to receive a licence.

"I made sure I did everything but I still have not received the licence to hang on the wall.

"Technically if the police came in they could shut me down because I am not displaying my licence.

"I have contacted the council and they just said I had not been hassling them enough to get it done. Now I want to see how long this goes on for."

A spokesman for Allerdale Borough Council admitted that there had been delays issuing licences.

He said: "Ms Dobinson's licence has been issued and she should not worry about being prosecuted. We are just finalising administrative details before it is sent out to her.

"Allerdale Borough Council has experienced some problems with the issuing of licences in the past and this has been an unfortunate oversight which we aim to resolve immediately."

Meanwhile Berwick Upon Tweed Council, which was believed to be the last in the country to issue new premises licences, said the final few would be sent out this week.

A spokeswoman told The Publican​ additional staff had been employed to deal with the backlog.