A LICENSING boss revealed today that almost all York pubs had applied in time to renew their licence - thanks partly to the Evening Press.

John Lacy, temporary licensing manager at City of York Council, said more than 98 per cent of 827 premises entitled to apply for "grandfather rights" had done so within the deadline.

He believed that a story in the Press on July 30, warning licensees that their businesses were at risk unless they acted before the August 6 deadline, played a major part in achieving such a success.

Mr Lacy said that, with more than 200 premises applying to convert their licences during the last 17 days, only nine had failed to apply in time, adding: "Our worst fears have, thankfully, not materialised."

He said the excellent figures could not have been achieved without the support of the local media in publicising the issue.

"It has to be said that the efforts of local radio and newspapers helped to hammer home the importance of getting the applications in on time."

He said one of the major benefits of the new licensing act was that it gave local people a greater say than ever before on licensing decisions that affected them.

"Many members of the public and businesses in the vicinity of premises seeking extra hours or the necessary permission for activities that require a license, such as live music, the showing of films, dancing and indoor sporting events, have already taken the opportunity to have their say," he said.

"This has resulted in hearings being resolved by the council's licensing committee."

He said that more than 100 hearings had either taken place or been arranged so far, which suggested that many people were glad of the opportunity to air their views.

He said that when conditions were attached to a licence, it became a criminal offence to breach them. "Failure to comply with those conditions is punishable with a fine of up to £20,000 or up to six months imprisonment.

"The licensing committee is currently convening daily at the Guildhall, adjudicating on three hearings a day on average."

Updated: 09:53 Wednesday, September 07, 2005