Richard I have no idea what licenses you refer to and when, or what you are saying here. I rather suspect the reason for this is that you do not know either. The end result, I fear is that many folk will become as confused as you are.

Basing your argument on DCMS research and figures is possibly the cause of your confusion. You tend to accept their statements, and then assume there is, or struggle to try and find some justification for this 'spin'.

The cost of the current Justice's Licence (to serve alcohol) is as stated (for a 3 year period). That is the total current (licensing) cost of running a pub, (without any licensable entertainment, and the payment for the additional PEL required for this).

Perhaps you can tell us what the new (total) licensing) figure for the 3 new elements will be under the Act, for a small pub to be able to do exactly the same thing?

Perhaps you can then compare for us, the 3 new elements, the cost of the Premises Licence (for the life of the current business), the Personal Licence (every 10 years) and the annual inspection charge, with the cost of the current Justice's Licence (quoted above)?

I think you would agree that the is the basic starting point for any comparisons, between the true cost of the old and the new licencing?

My point is simply that it is clear that under the new Act, all licensees will be paying more, just to stand still.