CHRISTMAS spirit could be lacking in West Somerset this year after it was revealed that nearly 60% of licensees have not met the licence renewal deadline.
Around 500 premises in the area submitted their applications by last week's cut-off date for the new-style licences to serve alcohol.
But with an estimated 1,200 licensed premises in the district, the changes to the law could mean a bleak winter for some pubs, restaurants, takeaways, off licences and village halls.
For the full story, see the West Somerset edition of this week's Somerset County Gazette.
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