PUBS all over the UK are facing the nightmare scenario of having to reapply for their licences after allowing a deadline for a rule change to slip by adhered to - but that is not the case here in Taunton.

While landlords up and down the country are having to start afresh with licensing their premises, Taunton Deane's licensing department has achieved the target rate of 95% of pubs making the necessary switch.

Under the changes, pubs must upgrade their licences to meet modern conditions.

Those that failed to meet the August deadline - a figure running into many thousands around the UK - face the prospect of trading illegally in the short term, and having to re-licence their premises from scratch in the long term.

The problem with this is that landlords applying under the new rules lose their grandfather's rights - and licensing panels are then obliged to hear any grievances from objecting parties, like neighbours.

Fortunately for Taunton's pubs - and its drinkers - only minimal numbers of watering holes in the area failed to meet the deadline.

For the full story, read this Friday's County Gazette