CHORLEY licensees are being urged to check they are not breaking the law following the introduction of new measures this week.

Premises holding a Special Hours Certificate may now be operating unlawfully without realising it, following a recent court decision.

Certificate holders are being warned by police to make sure they comply with the new conditions - or face prosecution.

Special Hours Certificates allow premises to carry on serving alcohol after hours, as long as food and entertainment are provided.

But in a recent case, the Court of Appeal found that special hours cannot be added on to the end of normal permitted hours.

Instead, special hours conditions must completely replace normal laws on days covered by the certificate.

A spokesman for Lancashire Constabulary said: "This could lead to wholesale changes in the way some premises are run.

"When premises are trading with a Special Hours Certificate drinking must now be secondary to the provision of food and entertainment throughout the day."

Call Chorley Police on 269021 for more information.

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