Time gentlemen, please (From Penarth Times)

Time gentlemen, please

THE Vale council has urged landlords to get their applications in for new alcohol licenses, in an attempt to head off a crisis which could put pubs and bars out of action by Christmas.

Under the new licensing law, all licensed premises have to apply to their local town halls by August 6 - even if they don't want to change their opening hours.

Pubs that don't, will find it much more difficult to re-obtain a licence, as past that date they lose previously unconditionally granted rights, known as'grandfather rights.'

Without a valid license when the new system goes live later in the year, current licensed premises won't be able to sell alcohol at all.

A spokesperson for the Vale of Glamorgan Council said: "We would encourage local businesses to renew their licences sooner rather than later, to avoid a last-minute headache.

"Under the new Licensing Act that came into force in February, all licensed premises must apply to their local council for a transfer of their licence, regardless of when it expires or whether the terms need to be changed.

"But the deadline of August 6 is fast-approaching, and the council has received only a small number of applications, leading to fears of a flood of last-minute responses."

Phil Musa, landlord of the Pilot, on Queens Road, in Penarth, said: "We are aware of the deadline. Our applications is being handled by Brains as part of a block.

"Hopefully, we will get an extension to 1am on a Friday and Saturday and until midnight on Sunday."

Colin Arlott, landlord of the Cogan, said: "Our application is being handled by the brewery. We will not be applying for a change to licensing hours. This is very much a community pub."