PUBS and licensed premises are running the risk of being closed for Christmas after council chiefs warned of the risk of ignoring new legislation governing the industry. West Somerset District Council's environmental health and licensing team leader Ian Timms told the authority's licensing committee on Tuesday that the Government had made it clear that the Licensing Act 2003, which requires pubs and other licensed premises, along with cinemas, theatres and other public entertainment premises, as well as outlets selling hot food between 11pm and 5am, to apply for a licence from their local authority, would come into force on November 7. And he said that any business failing to do so by the August 6 deadline would have to be closed for 28 days. "People could find their favourite pub is closed for Christmas - one of the busiest times of the year for many of these businesses," said Mr Timms. He told councillors that so far applications had been received for just 57 personal licences and 21 premises licences out of an estimated 1,250. "There are just two months left before the August deadline and the situation is very worrying. "We will struggle to process the number of applications over such a short period of time. "We would urge everyone to apply as quickly as possible because if they do not, they could be out of business." Mr Timms said the onus was on applicants to submit their application but the council was doing everything it could. In addition to a campaign in the media to highlight the issue, all applicants had been written to by the authority - twice. "Time is running out," said Mr Timms. "We have only had a trickle of applications and the situation is the same across the country. "It is getting a bit frustrating because the system has been in place since February. "We all want to go for a drink at Christmas, so the message is please apply for your new licence." Councillors were told that an appeal had been made to the public to put pressure on their favourite drinking haunts to encourage publicans to comply with the new legislation. Mr Timms said it was a common misconception that businesses with an existing licence did not have to apply for a new one. "This is brand new legislation, replacing the current magistrates' licence and it affects everyone."