 The new licences come into force in November |
Many pubs and clubs in Wales have been warned they could be breaking a new licensing law within days. Well under half new licence applications have been submitted in some areas.
In Carmarthenshire it is just 25%, and only 40% in Ceredigion and Anglesey.
Businesses have until Saturday before the Justices' licence is replaced by one from a local authority. Those who do not have a licence by 24 November will be unable to trade.
Landlords who sell alcohol, serve food or put on entertainment after 2300 BST must apply for a new licence by 6 August.
All three councils have taken steps to inform pub and club owners about the changes, such as putting advertisements in local newspapers.
Emyr Jones, senior licensing officer at Carmarthenshire Council, said: "We have had about 25% of the applications we expect.
"We are receiving applications in substantial numbers now. It does not look as though it will be anywhere near the projected numbers we would expect."
Other local authorities are having similar problems.
Anglesey principal trading standards officer David Owen said: "Licensees are virtually guaranteed that their existing licence will be transferred over if an application is submitted for a new licence by 6 August.
"Those who apply after 6 August receive no guarantees and those applications will be treated as new applications".
Like Anglesey, Ceredigion has received just 40% of applications, where a spokeswoman said: "This figure is particularly low and of concern to the authority."
 The licences will be issued by local authorities |
It has processed 188 licence applications for pubs and clubs and 310 personal licenses so far.
Tony Payne, chief executive of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers' Associations, said the problem was widespread throughout the UK.
"In Wales, I think many landlords own free houses and haven't been able to receive help with the new licence applications from pub companies", he said.
"We're advising people to fill in the forms as soon as possible and then ask for a meeting with their local authority".
One-Minute World News 
News services
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
We're advising people to fill in the forms as soon as possible and then ask for a meeting with their local authority
