I REFER to your story, All Change for Old Laws (Shuttle/Times and News, September 30), which details the plans to reform the licensing laws and the fact that local authorities will be taking control of liquor licensing from magistrates.

The radical shake-up of the laws will technically allow pubs to open for 24 hours but industry research has shown that very few pubs nationally, let alone locally, are looking to open 24-7.

In fact just one per cent of licensees throughout the country said they wanted to open 24/7 with the majority looking for the flexibility to open for an extra hour on Friday and Saturday.

The British Beer & Pub Association represents brewing companies and their pub interests, and pub-owning companies, accounting for 98 per cent of beer production and around two thirds of the 60,000 pubs in the country. Many of our members own and run pubs in the Wyre Forest area.

Currently the association is monitoring over 300 draft licensing policy statements which local authorities have to produce before undertaking a consultation process with interested parties.

Sadly, despite guidance issued by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) many authorities are attempting to use the new laws to address issues that go way beyond the requirements of the Licensing Act and have adopted a negative approach to what is an exciting opportunity to recognise the cultural and social contribution that our pubs make to the community.

Some have produced lengthy policy documents running into more than 100 pages which has only served to confuse things still further.

Fortunately this does not apply to Wyre Forest District Council which has managed to cover all the key points in a concise six-page document in which it highlights the cornerstone of the legislation, namely that each licensing application will be considered "on its individual merits."

This statement is particularly welcome as some councils appear to be trying to use the new act to address all the ills of society and make licensees responsible for public order matters over which they have no control.

I can only reiterate the call by council leader, Councillor Stephen Clee, for those affected to take advantage of the consultation period in order to help shape the future licensing policy for the district. This association certainly intends to be actively involved.

RICHARD MATTHEWS

Regional secretary

British Beer and Pub Association

Midland Counties