BLUNDERING court staff have left drinkers at one pub gasping.
A clerical error on its new licensing form has left The Nags Head on New Hey Road, Ainley Top, dry since last Friday.
The licence to serve alcohol was scheduled to be renewed at Calderdale Magistrates' Court in Halifax last Friday.
But the court records were wrong and the hearing had been scheduled for December.
The licence had to be revoked immediately, until an emergency hearing could be arranged - and that couldn't be done until today.
But the manager of the Country Carvery- owned pub, Marcus Hamilton-Seaman, is hoping he will be pulling pints again by tonight.
"Basically, what happened was someone had written 28th of the 12th month instead of the 10th," he said.
"Because of that small error we have lost a lot of money. It is a week's trade lost and will cost a five figure sum in the end.
"Not surprisingly, the bosses are not best pleased.
"I don't know the ins and outs as to why they could not hear it there and then.
"Maybe they were having a bad day, but they told us we could not serve."
As the Examiner went to press, nervous drinkers were crossing their fingers, hoping to hear good news when they went to the bar.
A decision was due this afternoon.
Mr Hamilton-Seaman added: "We did not ask for any longer hours or anything like that. We just wanted to carry on as we were.
"It was a bit of a shock when they told us we could not serve.
"We had to tell so many people - and a lot thought we were having a joke.
"I don't know if we can get any compensation from the courts, but they did admit the error at the hearing.
"Hopefully by the time people read this I will be able to serve beer again!"
