Trade must fight new legal burdens

He claims the industry failed to get its view across to the Government effectively during the drafting of the Police Reform & Social Responsibility Bill, which became law last week.

In particular, he raised concern about the introduction and implementation of the LNL, which will apply fees for any premises opening after midnight, and EMROs, which can introduce blanket bans on late opening across entire districts and towns.

The Government will be launching consultations in the autumn into both the LNL and EMROs. It will consider offering fee discounts to premises that are members of organisations such as Best Bar None and Pubwatch.

This consultation will be the basis of the guidance that will be given to local authorities on the implementation, which is widely mooted for October 2012.

Coulson said: “The trade has got to get its act together. We have been seen to lose every one of the contests over this Act. Now it is time for the trade to recognise it has a lot of work to do to make sure the implementation isn’t heavy.”

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers head of strategy Kate Nicholls agreed: “A lot of details are still to be fought over. We are working hard to ensure that responsible operators will not be penalised. We are trying to explain to Government and the police how Best Bar None works. We also are supportive of National Pubwatch being recognised.”

A spokesman for the British Beer & Pub Association added: “We will be urging the Government to make these unnecessary measures less onerous for pubs.”