(1)The occupier of premises in the borough may apply for the grant, renewal or transfer of a near beer licence, and shall not later than the day the application is made send a copy to the Commissioner and a copy to the fire authority and, subject to subsection (2) below, no such application shall be considered by the council unless the applicant complies with this subsection.
(2)The council may in such cases as they think fit, after consulting with the Commissioner and the fire authority, consider an application for the grant, renewal or transfer of a near beer licence notwithstanding that the applicant has failed to comply with subsection (1) above.
(3)In considering any application for the grant, renewal or transfer of a near beer licence the council shall have regard to any observations submitted to them by the Commissioner or by the fire authority within 28 days of the making of the application and may have regard to any observations submitted by him or them thereafter.
(4)An applicant for the grant, renewal, transfer or variation of a near beer licence shall furnish such particulars and give such other notices, including the public advertisement of the application, as the council may by regulation prescribe.
(5)Regulations under subsection (4) above may, inter alia, prescribe the procedure for determining applications.
(6)An applicant for the grant, renewal or transfer of a near beer licence shall pay a reasonable fee determined by the council.
(7)Where, before the date of expiry of a near beer licence, an application has been made for its renewal or transfer, the near beer licence shall be deemed to remain in force, or as the case may require, to have effect with any necessary modifications until the determination of the application by the council or the withdrawal of the application.