Although the new act has become law, it has not actually been implemented, which leaves things in a sort of limbo. Even whether the "Two in a bar rule" still applies is open to discussion - so I don't think that arguments on how it is meant to be applied will be very fruitful.

Greenwich council has for some time regarded the granting of entertainments licences as a way of raising some extra revenue - the session at "The Cricketers" proves this. I expect that they are trying to get every last pennyworth out of the old system as in theory a landlord should be able to get a license, merely by ticking a box when he applies for his first license under the new system. I think that it will be very difficult for the council to find any grounds for refusal (or insisting on structural changes) for any premises which they have granted a license under the old system.

The new guidlines have only just been published, but they are only referring to a procedure that will not be implemented for at least another year.