Thousands of pubs trading without licences

Thousands of hosts are still trading without their licences as councils continue to struggle to process applications.

Many caught up in the delay are being warned they could be trading illegally because of conditions that may have been written into the new permits.

10% to 15% still waiting​One licensing lawyer estimates that between 10% and 15% of licences are still outstanding.

The deadline for our applications was practically immovable, while there has been no deadline for councils ​ Union Pub Company managing director Stephen Oliver.

"Licences are trickling in very slowly and it is difficult to estimate just when local authorities will finally get it completed,"​ said lawyer Craig Bayliss.

Police forces across the country are taking a relaxed view despite hosts having a legal obligation to display a summary of the licence on their premises.

Breaking the law​"But until people get their new licence they do not know what conditions might have been attached,"​ Bayliss added.

"Licensees could be breaching conditions of which they are totally unaware.​

"One can understand a big authority like Westminster labouring under a huge backlog, but why other councils are struggling so badly is difficult to fathom."

The Local Government Association and council co-ordinator LACORS both said there were no figures available to show the number of licences yet to be issued by town halls.

Union Pub Company managing director Stephen Oliver estimated that around 600 of UPC's 1,750 pubs have yet to receive their licences.

He said: "It's a little annoying the deadline for our applications was practically immovable, while there has been no deadline issued for the councils to deliver licences to us."

For more on this story see this week's Morning Advertiser.

Are you one of the thousands waiting for your license to be processed? We would love to hear you experiences of the system. Email us by clicking this link​

Your Comments​Alan Williams​ via email 06/04/2006"In reply to your request regards awaiting LA's to process licences; I am still waiting for my Premises Licence to materialise from Newark & Sherwood Disctrict Council (NSDC). I have been assured by NSDC that it has been processed/granted without issue and the problem is simply that they cannot cope with the vast quantity they need to issue and that I am NOT to contact them about it as this will only delay thing further!!! And that the Police are aware of the problem in our area and will not be checking up on Licences being displayed yet."