New government rules 'to aid pubs'
Commercial insurance
30th July 2009
Pubs, village halls and other licensed premises will be able to make changes more easily under new legislation, the government has claimed.
According to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, rules governing the application process for small alterations to licences have been streamlined in order to save businesses and premises up to £2.3 million a year by reducing charges and red tape.
The new process will cost less than £100 for 'minor variations' to be made to documents, such as serving hot food after 23:00 BST or hosting live music events, something that may interest pub insurance customers.
"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," licensing minister Gerry Sutcliffe explained.
Fees for small changes to licences used to average £225, but a flat rate of £89 will now be charged, with responses delivered within 15 rather than 28 days.
Recent data published by the British Beer & Pub Association indicated that a record 52 pubs in Britain are now closing each week as a result of the recession.
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