Traders are being reminded of the need to apply for new or extended licences in the run up to the Festive period.

During the leadup to Christmas, Cheltenham Borough Council experience an increase in demand for trading licences and for extensions to alcohol licence for functions and parties.

All applications are subject to consultation and in cases where relevant objections are made, applications are referred to the council's licensing committee for determination.

The licensing committee meets once a month and is due to meet next on November 6 and December 4.

Therefore, the council is reminding anyone who needs a Christmas license application to think quickly and apply - saying that they need to do so within the next month in order to be licenced.

Licensing applications attracting objections cannot be dealt with by officers and cannot be fast-tracked by the licensing committee since committee dates have already been scheduled in advance.

The council have released at advice for traders to ensure that they apply in time for the relevant meetings.

The advice said: "It is recommended that applicants allow at least two months for their licensing applications to be determined by the council.

"The following deadlines are important for the council to highlight: Applications for the November licensing committee must be submitted by September 18.

"Applications for the December licensing committee must be submitted by October 15."

Councillor David Willingham, chair of the licensing committee, said: "Where there are objections, the licensing committee is there to ensure that all parties can have their say.

"It is an important part of open and transparent local decision making.

"The run up to Christmas is a busy time for the licensing team, and to avoid disappointment, applicants need to meet these deadlines."