Nick

Given the sad situation and the blunt reply - it may seem to go without saying but given the Government's intention to review any detremental effects of the new Act upon live music - it may prove helpful to record.

As you are writing to them at this point - could you get them also to confirm that none of Samuel Smiths pubs (and how many that is) will applying for Premises Licence permission to provide regulated entertainment - under the new Licensing Act 2003?