Publicans have blamed bureaucracy for their failure to comply with new licensing

regulations.

Figures show only a fraction of the thousands of pubs, clubs and restaurants in the county have applied to convert their existing licences or apply for new ones, despite a looming deadline.

Sussex Police fear they may have to shut down dozens of venues when the new law, which switches responsibility for licensing from magistrates to local councils, comes into force in November.

But landlords complained today the process for licence applications was an "utter nightmare" that even solicitors were having difficulties with.

Many said the old system worked perfectly well and the change was complicated and costly.

To get a licence under the old system, landlords had to apply to a magistrate, make a court appearance then fill in a short form and pay £30.

Under the new system, landlords are complaining their costs are running into hundreds of pounds.

Dave Day, of the Golden Lion Group, which runs a string of pubs in Brighton and Hove, said: "The whole thing is a nightmare.

"The biggest problem is with the 28 or 29 pages of forms you have to fill in.

"If you get a single item wrong, then it is automatically rejected.

"You have to have detailed plans drawn up of your premises, you have to submit forms with photographs and signatures from solicitors for everyone that works for you."

Colin Millham, chairman of the Brighton and Hove Licensed Victuallers Association, said: "It is ridiculously complicated.

"You have to have eight different maps drawn up and sent to all these different places, including the Child Protection Agency even if you don't have children in the pub."

Bev Robbins, who has run pubs for more than 30 years, said: "It's barking mad. I have pubs in different parts of the country and every authority is interpreting the new legislation differently, which makes it impossible."

Neil Hayward, operations manager at the Robin Hood pub in Norfolk Place, Brighton, said: "I can't tell you the amount of times I've taken out the forms and said Oh no, not today.'

"The level of bureaucracy has taken us all by surprise."

A spokeswoman for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, said: "We are asking for a lot more information from pubs but that is for the benefit of the community, who will get a say on how pubs in their neighbourhood are run.

"And we are giving pubs a lot more freedom, if they act responsibly."

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: "Filling in these forms is crucial. However, we understand that they are long and can be complicated to fill in.

"If anyone needs assistance, they can call the health and safety licensing team on 01273 294429."