TENBURY'S pub landlords could be in danger of prosecution if they don't get their applications for new licences in on time, Malvern Hills District Council has said.

Licensing manager Phil Browning said concerns were growing regarding the lack of licensing applications submitted from the 600 premises in the region.

He said the establishments, which include pubs, clubs and restaurants, all need to obtain licences but he is alarmed that out of the 600 establishments in the area so far only six have applied.

However, one of the town's landlords has hit out at the amount of red tape and the costs involved in applying for the new licences.

Under new Government licensing laws, anywhere selling alcohol, providing public entertainment or late night refreshment, has until August 6 to apply to convert their justices licences to new local authority licences which are needed by November.

Any licensee who fails to do so will not be able to convert their licence or apply for so-called 'grandfather rights', which will allow them to continue trading on the same terms and conditions.

The district warns that anyone applying after the deadline will have to apply for a new licence instead - which may be very different from the one they already hold.

"A lot of the licensed premises in Tenbury Wells could be prosecuted if they don't submit their applications in time," warned Mr Browning.

Mr Browning is concerned that if applications are received after this date, there will not be sufficient time to process them and hold the necessary hearings which may be required.

Fears have also been expressed that the licensing authority may be swamped by applications at the end of the statutory period.

Proprietor of the Ship at Tenbury Wells for more than 20 years, Michael Hoar branded the new applications as being surrounded by bureaucracy.

He said: "The licensing officers said it would take about two hours to complete the applications but some licensees are employing lawyers to assist them.

"It just goes on and on and on. I think there's too much red tape and that is only part of it."

He said there was a lot of anger among the town's licensees over time-consuming paperwork and rising costs of applications, but agreed they would be unable to trade without their licences.

Malvern Hills's licensing team is holding Tuesday morning surgeries at the Pump Rooms in Tenbury to assist applicants. For an appointment call 01584 810465.

The team will also be addressing Tenbury Licenced Victuallers Association, in the Crow Inn, at 3pm, next Monday. All licensees are welcome.