“It’s now time to focus on getting the applications in.

“If pubs, restaurants, takeaways and supermarkets don’t have a new licence in November, when the new law comes in, they won’t be able to trade. We recommend everyone puts their forms in now.”

All licensed premises have until August 6 to convert or vary their existing licence. Licensees that apply after August 6 will lose their grandfather rights – the rights they already have, such as their existing opening hours – and have to apply for an entirely new licence.