New licensing law warnings

From the archive, first published Friday 17th Jun 2005.

BOROUGH booze sellers are being warned not to get caught out by new laws which could see licensees re-applying for licences from scratch.

From August 6 anyone who sells alcohol as part of their business must have applied for their current licence to be converted into a premises and personal licence.

The move has come after local authorities are taking over licensing functions from magistrates.

However, Dudley Council's licensing department has so far received only 110 out of a predicted 1,800 personal and 54 out of 1,100 private applications.

Those who do not get the forms in on time will be forced to re-apply for a licence.

Councillor Julian Ryder, chairman of the licensing committee said: "Businesses have had since February to convert their licenses but we have had very little applications and this is very concerning"

The new law also brings with it the possibility of 24-hour opening times and the council says that an application needs to be made on top of the conversion.

Cllr Ryder added: "I would urge licensees to apply as soon as possible."

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