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DCMS unveils new licensing changes
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has introduced a new application process designed to make it easier for pub and bar operators to make small alterations to the terms of their licence.
It is expected that the Minor Variations process will save the industry up to £2.3m each year, with licensees now able to apply to change the layout of their premises or stage live music events for a fee of £89, compared with the previous average fee of around £225. Licensees will also no longer have to make the relevant authorities aware, or to advertise in a newspaper, of their intention to change the terms of the licence, while the waiting time for applications to be resolved will be almost halved to 15 days from the current 28-day period.
New measures for village and community halls have also been introduced that will no longer require an individual person to apply for a licence, with management committees now able to take collective responsibility for the sale of alcohol. Licensing minister Gerry Sutcliffe said: "We realise that licensees are going through difficult times - that is why it is so important that we remove any unnecessary burdens. We know only too well that customer demands have changed, and that for a pub or bar to thrive they have to give the customer more choice - this could be by offering food or putting on live music."