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Time called on last orders

Shaun Almond
21/ 9/2005

IT'S good news for High Peak drinkers who will all be able to continue enjoying their favourite tipple after the new licensing laws take effect on 24 November.

All of the pubs in the High Peak Borough have applied for their new licences and will be continuing to trade 'after time'.

Around 400 applications for licences from landlords have been received and 375 of these have already been issued.

A further 400 applications from clubs and other licensed premises have been received, of which nearly 300 have been issued.

The council expects all outstanding applications to be processed "well ahead" of the November deadline.

Councillor Glynis Kirk said: "We have been proactive in our handling of the new licensing procedures: encouraging businesses to get their applications in good time, holding workshops and running articles in the press and on local radio.

"This approach has been very useful."

Approximately 29 premises (including some guest houses) that currently have licences have not put forward applications and the council presumes they have decided to stop selling alcohol after 24 November.

All businesses that haven't applied for licences have been warned that they risk closure or prosecution if they continue trading after the deadline.

The council advises applications to sell alcohol at any time, or hot food after 11pm, must be received by 24 September if their new licence is to be processed in time.