Pubs demand more support on licensing

Four days into the new licensing regime licensees across the country claim that local authorities are still not geared up for change.

The Publican has been inundated with calls from worried licensees who are having trouble applying for their personal and premises licences because local authorities aren't prepared.

Licensees claim that they are unable to get copies of the forms for the licences and many cannot get hold of anyone to help them at their local authority licensing office.

David Franklin, licensee of the Tontine Inn, in Oswestry, Shropshire, said he is still completely in the dark. "We have written to our local council twice asking for the necessary forms and fee structure and have heard nothing. We are just not sure what we need to do," he said.

Fred Chapman, licensee of the Station in Stockton-on-Tees, said he has been trying to get hold of his licensing officer for more than six months. He said: "I've been trying a couple of different numbers but I never manage to get through to anyone - it's ridiculous.

"Local authorities don't know what they're doing - they're as much in the dark as everyone."

David Hawksworth, who runs the Fox & Hounds in Bullamoor, North Allerton, was also unhappy.

He said: "We used to have an excellent rapport with the magistrates but now the local council doesn't want to work with us. For months now we have been asking them to meet with licensees to discuss the changes to licensing - but they just aren't interested."

Derek Allen, executive director of LACORS, the association representing local authorities, said: "There have been difficulties with significant delays to the regulations, which contained essential information local authorities needed for the ongoing work of developing the new responsibility. "There were also delays to the forms, which created problems for local authorities who were trying to get their systems ready for the First Appointed Day. Neither of these areas were within the control of the local authorities. "Local authorities share licensees' frustrations with the way the new legislation has been implemented. We would like to encourage licensees to talk to local authorities if they have concerns."

The Department for Culture Media and Sport claimed that there was no need to panic because the forms were now available on its website.

"Licensees have six months to fill these forms out and send them back and then a further three months to make any changes," it said.