Thousands of pubs across Scotland could lose their licences due to a backlog in processing applications under the new Licensing Act, trade chiefs have warned.
Many local licensing boards are advising publicans not to apply for their personal licence holder (PLH) certificates until next year.
But with up to 60,000 applications to process within the next 10 months, trade chiefs have argued this "relaxed" approach could mean a "collapse" of the processing system.
Under the new Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, all premises must have at least one certified PLH in place by next September - or risk losing their licence.
Paul Waterson, chief executive of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, said: "Many licensing boards are taking a fairly relaxed approach and are giving out the information that licensees can leave applying for their PLH until closer to big bang day.
But we've got to get everyone to understand that they need to apply in good time, there's no point in waiting."
Patrick Browne, chief executive of the Scottish Beer & Pub Association, said: "In practical terms, because of the busy summer, we really only have 6-8 months to sort these licences out.
"Licensing boards that haven't yet started issuing PLH certificates, like Edinburgh and Glasgow, need to start doing so now."
However The Publican's poll of five pubs in Glasgow found that one had already received their PLH and the rest had submitted applications. At the Bon Accord, licensee Paul McDonagh said: "I put two of my staff through in May. There's just too much at stake to wait, if you don't get the licence in time you will be forced to close. It's just not worth it."