AROUND a quarter of Watford's pubs and restaurants could be forced to close by Christmas, if they don't apply for new licenses by the deadline, in two months time.

Premises serving alcohol have to have new style licences in place by Thursday, November 24, when new laws, under the Licensing Act 2003, come into play.

Watford Borough Council warned businesses this week, that they had until Friday, September 30, to get applications in, if they are to be processed in time.

Official figures from the council show that there are around 241 licensed premises in Watford that sell alcohol, of which only 184 have applied to convert their licences under the new law.

Since March, the council has held nearly 40 additional Licensing Committee meetings to take into account representations from statutory authorities and local residents, about some of those changes.

Jeffrey Leib, Licensing Team Leader, said: "It will be illegal for premises to sell alcohol or provide entertainment after November 24, without the new-style premises and personal licences in place.

"If local businesses do not want to lose trade, they must submit their applications as soon as possible.

"After November 24, the council and other agencies will be enforcing the new laws, although in the first case we would ask businesses to voluntarily stop any unlicensed activities.

"For example, we would ask an unlicensed corner shop to stop selling alcohol, or an unlicensed take-away to close at 11pm, until they have the proper licences in place.

"Failure to do so could lead to formal enforcement, which can lead to a maximum penalty of a £20,000 fine and/or six months' imprisonment in the worst cases."

The aim of new licensing laws is to create a more streamlined system, allow flexibility for licence-holders and give local residents more power to have a say in licensing decisions that affect them.

For more information, log on to www.watford.gov.uk, telephone the Licensing Team on 01923 278503, or e-mail: licensing@watford.gov.uk.