Roger, is your point that because LAs will be getting license fees from every pub, they therefore won't miss the fact that they're not getting the PEL fees from only a few? The only problem with this is that currently PELs are charged on an annual basis, while the new License is a one-off charge for the life of the business. I'm still not sure exactly what defines "the life of the business", but presumably a large number of pubs expect to stay in business for a considerable length of time. Most of the pubs which have closed in my area, have become offices, private homes, or other concerns which would not need a license. Anyway unless many new licensable businesses (restaurants etc) are being created in the future, the license fee seems like more of a one-off than a renewable income.

BTW - will there be a fixed national rate for the new license or will each LA be able to determine their own ? - and when will the cost be known ?

As far as a landlord is concerned if the cost of the new license (which he has to pay to stay in business) remains the same irrespective of whether he ticks the entertainments box, then from his point of view the provision is free.