Fewer Licensing Applications under New Regime than expected

Our licensing team have been very busy this year assisting businesses with the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003 .  Under the new Act all premises which sell alcohol or provide regulated entertainment (.eg Theatres and Cinemas ) are required to apply to their local authority for a licence.  Applications had to be made from between the 7th February  and 6th August 2005.  However, the take up was initially much slower than expected though the rate increased significantly towards the end of the period when businesses realised that the Secretary of State meant business.  Nevertheless, by 1st August 2005 just 65% of premises in the UK requiring a  licence had actually submitted an application.

The new Act (which is effective from 24th November 2005) renders Justices Licences and Public Entertainment Licences a thing of the past.  Businesses without a premises licence will not be able to sell alcohol, provide entertainment or sell hot food and drink after 11pm.  Our licensing lawyers wait with bated breath for the onslaught of litigation involving businesses operating outside the new regime.