Licensing threat to village stores (From Stroud News and Journal)

Licensing threat to village stores

PUBLICANS say they face bills of more than £2,000 to comply with new licensing laws.

The news comes as Ebley Mill's own licensing chief claims the rules could destroy small village shops.

More than a quarter of pubs, off-licences and convenience stores across the district have not yet put in their applications to Stroud District Council as Friday's licensing deadline looms.

But owners of some of the 317 premises that had put their forms in as the SNJ went to press say bureaucracy has led to massive bills for some businesses.

Richard Goodfellow, landlord of the Daneway in Sapperton - which was the first pub in the district to apply - said pubs could face an average bill of £2,000 to prepare their case.

"You have to pay surveyors and solicitors and take time out to fill it in - it is a 20-odd page document," he said.

"I have been lucky to have a lot of help from the brewery but for the independent pubs it is costing a fortune."

Much of the costs come when landlords want to vary or extend their opening hours.

The district council charges as little as £20 for the smallest businesses to do this, but extra legal expenses can send costs spiralling.

Bob Pike, of the George Inn, Nailsworth estimated it had cost him around £1,250 to vary the terms of his licence.

He added: "I haven't got anything against the district council dealing with licences - but I am not happy with what it is costing."

Local councils are due to take over responsibility for issuing licences, once granted by magistrates, in November, and hearings have already taken place at Ebley Mill.

On Thursday, Cllr Nigel Cooper, cabinet member for environment, rural affairs and licensing, said the added red tape could threaten small convenience stores.

"These are a vital part of rural life - now they are suffering under another bureaucratic burden," he said.

He has written to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, outlining his fears.