 Pendle Borough Council fears many pubs could close in the summer |
A Lancashire council has issued a stark warning that most pubs in its district will close in August, unless they update their licences. Pendle Borough Council, which replaced the magistrates' court as the licensing regulator in 2003, has sent out 240 application forms to pubs in the area.
However, only two landlords have so far applied for the new licence.
Keen to drum up activity, the council is organising an advice day at Nelson Town Hall in Pendle on Monday.
The Licensing Act allows licensees to open up their pubs, clubs or bars for up to 24-hour opening, seven days a week.
While the act relaxes current laws, its other aim is to combat disorder around pubs and bars.
Police will have new powers to close any licensed premises without notice for up to 24 hours if there are problems with disorder or noise nuisance.
Licensing laws in England and Wales have changed little since 1915, when they were tightened to stop factory workers turning up drunk and harming the war effort.
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