Licensing regime review expected this month

The Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) has denied media reports that the Elton Panel report into England and Wales's new alcohol licensing laws will be published this week.

A DCMS spokeswoman said no date had been set yet but it was hoped the review would be made public by the end of January.

A report in last week's Sunday Express suggested nightclubs could be facing a hike in fees, with a charge of £2,000 for a licence and a £1,000 annual fee.

Publicans fear they will also be hit with increased fees as councils, who now administer the system, have complained current fee levels aren't high enough for them to cover costs.

If the Government adopts any of the recommendations they will be open to a public consultation, which would typically last 12 weeks.

In an interim report last December Elton recommended simplification of the licensing application process and the introduction of an annual renewal date.

One year on, are the new licensing laws working? >>

Licence applications need to be to made simpler >>

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Licensing panel chairman selected >>

For more on the licensing change go here >>

By Chris Druce

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