| Date -17 Jan 2008 | Return to previous page |
Publicans and hoteliers in Moray are being urged not to leave it to the last minute before submitting licensing applications under sweeping new legislation which comes into force in April.
The Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 represents the most radical overhaul of licensing laws for many years and will place greater responsibilities on licence holders.
Under the new legislation licensees will be required to apply for a personal licence which will authorise the holder to supervise or authorise the sale of alcohol, and a separate licence for the premises in which the business is to be carried out.
Applications for a premises licence will require to be accompanied by a detailed operating plan of how the business will be managed and run, along with a plan of the premises which will require to be prepared by an architect, architectural technician or someone suitably qualified.
The first batch of applications is due to be submitted by March and Moray Council, as licensing authority, has appealed for those in the licensed trade, and their agents, to avoid a logjam.
A council spokesman said: "It is imperative that current licensees are aware of how momentous the change is going to be.
"The worst case scenario for licensees is that the paperwork is not in place for new licences to be granted. They will be unable to trade."
He added: "The licensed trade in Moray begins 2008 facing a fundamental shake-up but the change will bring licensing into the 21st century and will be worthwhile in the long run."
Moray Licensing Board, which will be responsible for issuing the new licences, is in the process of sending out the first of two reminders to all licensees on what they will require to do.
In view of the fact the changes affect all licensed premises, the board is anticipating a large number of applications and special arrangements are being made to smooth the transition.
A dedicated e-mail address – liquor.licensing@moray.gov.uk– has been set up for specific inquiries about any application and a dedicated telephone line has been set up on 01343 563699.
Special advice surgeries will also be held throughout Moray during January and February, with the first due to take place at the Sunninghill Hotel in Elgin next Tuesday and Thursday.