The landlord of The Black Dog is in the local paper this week complaining about the terms of his Public Entertainment Licence, making him supply free water to his customers.

The background to this is that West Dorset have just aproved and applied to existing PELs, the LGA approved new standard conditions, that will apply nationally.

This most probably well-intentioned one, I assume to prevent 'E 'high youngsters from dehydrating at night clubs and raves, does not really seem to have much relevance to the many small rural pubs like the Black Dog.

It only applies when the PEL is in operation i.e. when the entertainment is taking place. But if you need the licensee to provide you with a free glass of water, all you have to do is to start singing, as the mere fact of that will then make a public entertainment and the PEL, if the pub has one, will come into operation.

95% of UK licened premises do not have PELs.

HELP!