It was no surprise to read in your article about the new licensing laws (Oxford Mail, June 11) that only a handful of publicans had applied or were granted the new licence.

Barry Greenhough, landlord of the Dew Drop Inn, in Summertown, Oxford, is a lucky man.

I am one of many 'stupid' landlords not lucky enough to be able to hand our premises' licence application to an area manager or brewery.

I have submitted the premises' licence application three times and it has been returned three times. I obtained a plan of my premises, The Priory, and it was returned.

When I asked why, a council employee told me that it did not state where alcohol was sold and where the storeroom was situated.

After a quick study of the map on its return, it clearly stated the bar area and storeroom.

I duly highlighted this in red marker and sent it back.

I was a lucky tenant who stumbled across the plans of The Priory, as the pub was refubished by my landlord, Firoz Kassam, in 2001.

If they had not been readily available, how long would it have taken me to obtain these plans?

Incidentally, they were not requested when I obtained my publican's licence in August last year at a cost of more than £1,000 in solicitor's and court fees.

We were told it would be a simple conversion, but it has turned into a lot of hassle, a lot of time and, for those not fortunate enough to have a company to fund and take care of it, very expensive.

Plans, solicitors, a further fee of £190 -- I suggest to Mr Greenhough that we are not stupid, but work very long hours and what spare time we have, goes to our families and lately, sorting out the premises' licence.

Which, fourth time lucky, may be in my possession by the time this letter has been published!

TIM RACKLEY

The Priory, Grenoble Road, Minchery Farm, Oxford