An unprecedented number of failures to apply for a three-yearly licence renewal is being blamed on confusion over the new Licensing Reform Act.
Hundreds of licensees nationwide have failed to apply for the triennial renewal, and now face the prospect of seeing their pubs close to business next month.
Industry sources fear many publicans have not renewed their licences in the belief that in light of the imminent transfer of responsibility to Local Authorities.
In Nottingham, 315 out of 2,000 licensees have failed to renew, almost double the number that did not renew last time, while 279 out of 816 in West Yorkshire missed the deadline.
In the early stages of licensing reform, it was widely believed that licensees would not need to apply for a licence in the Brewster sessions this year, but delays in implementing the reforms have caused widespread confusion.
A poll conducted by The Publican showed 64% of licensees said they were in the dark about the impact of reform, with only 5% of landlords claiming to be prepared for the new legislation.
Peter Coulson, legal editor for the Morning Advertiser, said he had never experienced numbers [of failure to renew] on this scale, while Tony Payne, of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers, said the figures were amazing.
Landlords who have defaulted will be given a second chance to apply in many areas, but if they miss the second deadline will face the prospect of running a dry bar from April to May next year, when the next transfer sessions are held.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport said it hoped to publish the guidance notes for landlords "soon" but was unable to give a firm date.
