E-Malt.com News article: UK: Brewers drive licensing message home

British Beer & Pub Association announced on June 13 that British brewers are helping to drive the licensing message, ‘Act Now!’ home to all their customers. With the new Licensing regime due to be implemented in November, brewers are acting to make sure that their customers are clear that all alcohol licences must be renewed if their businesses are to continue operating from this date.

“Brewers have a direct relationship with their customers and are keen to ensure that all are as informed as possible about what they as licensees should be doing to protect their businesses,” said Mark Hastings, Director of Communications of the British Beer & Pub Association. “Using delivery processes, invoicing systems, telesales teams and newsletters, brewers are emphasising that the time to act is now.”

The new Licensing Act 2003 is due to be implemented on 24 November with responsibility for the system moving from local magistrates to new local licensing authorities. Processing of applications under the new regime began on 7 February 2005, with licensees able to apply for new arrangements or maintenance of their existing licence conditions from this date.

“Anyone with an alcohol licence must apply for a new licence from their local licensing authority whether they are a pub, a bar, a cinema, a corner shop or a large supermarket. If you wish to convert your licence and retain your right to operate your business as you do now your application must be submitted before 6 August, that’s just eight weeks away,” continued Mr Hastings. “The message is simple, contact your local council and apply now.”

1. The British Beer and Pub Association is the UK’s leading organisation representing the brewing and pub sector. Its members account for 98% of the beer brewed in the UK and own nearly two thirds of Britain’s 59,000 pubs.

2. From 7 February 2005 (the first appointed day) local authorities began processing applications. Applicants should ensure that the forms used are the final amended version published by DCMS after 4 February 2005. Newly granted licences do not take effect until the second appointed day - 24 November 2005.

3. Until 6 August 2005 businesses have the option to vary their current justices' licences to the new local licensing authority premises licence. These applications will be either for simple conversion (maintenance of current operating practices) or conversion and variation at the same time. After this date all applications will be treated as new applications i.e. not as conversions, with completion of the full new application process required to obtain a new licence.

4. BBPA and the British Institute of Innkeeping have produced a ‘Licensees' Guide to the Licensing Act’ available for download from the BBPA website. Visit Licensees Guide

5. Companies participating:

Scottish & Newcastle – via invoices, statements and telesales
Carlsberg – via telesales and free trade magazine
Charles Wells – via telesales and free trade accounts
Cobra – via trade magazine
Coors – via hotlines and trade magazine
Diageo – via technical services department


15 June, 2005