The government's reform of the licensing laws became live on 24 November 2005. The new regime affects anyone concerned with:

• pubs and nightclubs
• indoor sporting events
• off-licences
• restaurants that serve alcohol
• business offering hot food between 11.00pm and 5.00am (with certain exceptions)
• hotels, guest houses and other places that sell alcohol
• private member’s clubs and social clubs
• theatres and amateur dramatic groups
• cinemas
• organisers of occasional entertainments

Applicants, the council and other agencies must all work to promote the four licensing objectives:

• prevention of crime and disorder
• public safety
• prevention of public nuisance
• protection of children from harm

Further guidance is provided on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport website.