PUB landlords and licensees have been given a timely reminder - to act now to ensure they are not caught out by the new licensing laws.

With the Licensing Act 2003 due to come into full effect in November 2005, City of York Council is advising licensees to act now to ensure they can continue trading under the new law.

The council is expecting to process up to 3,000 licences between now and the November deadline.

Licensees operating any premises licensed to sell or provide alcohol, provide public entertainment or late-night refreshments must convert their existing licences to new ones.

The council has published application forms and guidance on its website at www.york.gov.uk/licensing/index.html, and licensees are advised to access that information. To comply with the new law, licensees must apply to convert their licences before August 6, 2005.

Dick Haswell, head of licensing and regulation, suggests that licensees should act now to convert to the new requirements in time. He said: "For existing licensees to do nothing is not an option if they wish to continue to operate after November.

"Our licensing officers will do everything possible to help applicants through the process, but with the workload we have and the number of applications we are likely to receive, there is a limit to the support we can give.

"We are relying heavily on our website to distribute information, and would encourage all licensees to access that information."

In greater York there are 720 licensed premises and 760 licensees.

Frank Cartin, past president of the York branch of the Licensed Victuallers' Association, and landlord of the Snickleway pub, in Goodramgate, said: "It has taken the Government long enough to get this law through and, at this stage, any help the council can give us to help fill out the forms is very welcome."

The urgency has led to a York law firm launching a service to guide businesses through the major shake-up of liquor and entertainment licensing laws. In future, liquor licensing matters, traditionally carried out by magistrates, will be dealt with by designated local authorities, who will also process licences for music and dancing and special events.

Licences will be required for people running premises, as well as for the premises themselves.

Simon Black, a partner at Harrowell Shaftoe who is heading the new guidance service, said: "Businesses are faced with a 20-page form to fill in and the detail is far from straightforward.

"We are also concerned that so far only a handful of businesses have applied for the new licences, and that businesses may find their applications delayed by a last-minute rush."

Updated: 10:13 Tuesday, March 22, 2005