90% of Cotswold pubs could close (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

90% of Cotswold pubs could close

NINE in ten pubs in the Cotswolds will be forced to close later this if they fail apply for a new licence, a Standard investigation has revealed.

Gloucestershire police and Cotswold District Council are urging owners of pubs, clubs and function rooms across the district to reapply for licences as quickly as possible.

Those who don't apply by the August 6 deadline may not get their licenses by November and would be breaking the law if they continued to sell alcohol.

And police have warned they will raid and close down venues without a license.

The new regulations have come into force because local councils have taken over the management of licensing from magistrates' courts.

But the Local Government Association says nationally just five percent of the expected applications have been received so far.

And both Cotswold District Council and North Wiltshire District Council say figures in their districts are as bad, if not worse.

CDC's licensing manager Alison Brown said: "When the new system goes live then if people are not in possession of the correct licences then they will run the risk of having to close their businesses.

"Without a valid licence certain premises won't be able to sell alcohol." Her comments were echoed by PC Paul Francis, of Gloucestershire police.

He said: "We know that 3,000 applications in total are expected in the county, so within the next few months 2,950 licences will be making applications to the councils.

"This will create a huge workload and we can only hope the councils can process the applications in time - otherwise we will be faced with closing premises.

"We want people to get their applications in early to avoid the rush."

The new licensing legislation affects every establishment serving alcohol. Pubs, clubs, restaurants, shops and cinemas are all effected.

Under the new rules, individual licensees are required to apply for a personal licence, which they retain wherever they are based.

They must also apply for a premises licence, which covers the venue at which the alcohol will be served.

So far Cotswold District Council, which is expecting some 1,200 personal applications and 620 premises forms, has received just 150 applications.

Meanwhile, North Wilts District Council has received only 25 out of 500 premises' applications and is urging people to contact them if they need help filling in their forms.

Alison Brown added: "We are urging businesses to get in touch with us as soon as possible.

"We are concerned that there may be a flood of applications as the deadline draws near, resulting in delays.

"We believe some premises serving alcohol will choose to vary their existing licenses as well as convert them - this could add extra time to the process as these applications may attract objections from residents.

"If they don't apply by August 6 then there's a risk that licenses might not get granted in time."

Licensees who need more information on the new laws can contact CDC on 01285 623439 or licesing@cotswold.gov.uk or NWDC on 01249 706643.