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The Licensing Act 2003 was introduced to modernize and integrate the licensing schemes applying to alcohol, public entertainment, theatre, cinema and other licensable activities. The aim was to reduce crime and alcohol misuse and encourage tourism and self-sufficient rural communities. It swept away a huge amount of complexity, inconsistency and delay. The new Act replaced the old rules with a more logical and easier to use system. Protection orders, transfers and the other licenses previously granted in the Magistrates’ Courts disappeared. New applications are dealt with by a dedicated licensing authority (usually a department of the local council).

The Act came into force amid a storm of controversy. Guidance to local licensing authorities was issued late leaving little time for license holders to obtain an automatic new style license. Those who did not apply in time either found themselves unable to trade or guilty of an offence of trading whilst unlicensed. In either case they had to start a new application from scratch.

We recognized the need for a service to address these problems. We made sure that all clients who came to us before the deadline had their paperwork submitted in time. In fact we worked until midnight on the last day of the transition period to make sure of it!