Legal advice: A new era for renewing your AWP permits
By Piers Warne of thePublican.com's team of legal experts from London solicitors Joelson Wilson.
You may be aware that the transition period for applications for renewal of amusement with prizes machines (AWPs) permits expired on the January 8, 2006, writes Piers Warne.
This period allowed applicants due to renew their AWP permit between November 24 and January 8 to choose how to do so, either through the magistrates court (old system) or licensing authority (new system).
The situation is straightforward in terms of how to renew or transfer AWP permits. Existing permits will continue until their renewal date without the holder needing to take any action, even though this could mean that the person named on the current premises licence may differ from that on the current AWP permit.
If you purchase a pub you must apply to have a premises licence transferred into your name. You will have to apply for a new permit for any AWP machines at the premises at the same time. The application should be made to the local authority that granted your current premises licence.
When your permit comes up for renewal, the application should be made to that same local authority ahead of the due date for expiry. Obtain the relevant forms well in advance. We would suggest that a period of not less than six weeks should be left between the application being made and the permit's expiry date.
Guidance by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport suggests that applications for one or two machines should be granted administratively, that is, without a hearing.
Applications for more than two machines may be dealt with administratively or by way of a hearing, as the individual licensing authority sees fit, depending on individual local authority policy and the merits of each application.
