Les

I think your friend may be in the same situation as my friend.

We have played a weekly session/singaround at our local pub for several years after Sam Smiths moved us on.

When the licensing changes came in some years ago the owner of the pub decided he could save a few quid and not have the hassle of potentially being looked at by not ticking the box on the form (he doesn't like forms and stuff like that). We then played for a period of time unlicensed and "got away with it" until someone in the village got in touch with the Council and shopped us/the pub. The owner then had a twitchy time wondering whether he would get fined or what draconian measures might be enacted.

The reality was much less than he had dreaded. Reapplying for a change to his premises licence was very straightforward I believe and the costs then were the going amount for a pub of the size. To my knowledge there were no fines etc involved and the chap from the Council was reasonable and easy to deal with. The weekly raffle now easily pays his licence and life goes on (legally).

If your friends situation is similar to my friends situation then by all means PM me and I'm sure my friend would speak to your friend and let him know the detail of what happened if that helps. Councils may be different so your friends council might treat him differently but if it would help do get in touch.

Nick