Publicans

	!
	Last orders please: pubs are unprepared

Most of Britain's 64,000 publicans are in for a "horrible shock" when changes to how licensed premises are run come into force from September next year, business information group Croner has warned. A poll of 100 licensees and industry representatives has found the majority either unprepared for or unaware of next year's Licensing Act. The Government introduced the act in an attempt to modernise the UK's licensing system. The six existing licensing regimes will be merged into one. Failure to transfer to the new regime would mean publicans could be trading illegally and be liable for a £20,000 fine or even closure. Steve Reed, licensed trade industry expert at Croner, said: "The majority of licensees don't know what the changes to the act are, let alone how to go about getting a new license." by Nic Paton Buy this week's *Caterer* magazine for more industry news and analysis