The LA's may not want to delay, because they'll get the licence fees for every alcohol licence once they've taken over from the magistrates.

My understanding is that these new licences won't expire. Therefore LAs will only get one chance to collect the fee. I also gather that most LAs are saying that £500 won't cover their costs, and want to up the ante. That being so, wouldn't they rather fight to get the maximum fee, even if they have to wait longer for it.

As I've said before, under the current arrangement, Greenwich are charging "The Cricketers" £400 for a PEL which covers 2 evenings a week (and would want proportionally more for extra evenings). I believe that this is per year. If the pub could get their license (including PEL) for a one-off £500 there wouldn't be any profit in it for the council. I think that as the council has granted a license under the old scheme, it would be rather difficult for them to refuse one under the new, or to ask for further modifications to the premises. I also think that the restriction to only two evenings would not be enforceable under the new scheme - especially as the session should fit inside the "small events" provision.