This week's Home Office update of its White Paper on reforming the liquor licensing regime has failed to take on board trade feedback according to retailers and wholesalers. The government White Paper, A Time for Reform, published in April last year, includes proposals to extend licensing hours and issue licences to individuals rather than premises. Trevor Dixon, chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores, said: "It is disappointing that progress on reform is so slow and that few of the concerns that we and others raised in the consultation on reform appear to have been taken on board by the government." The association is pressing for reform of forecourt licensing restrictions and extended opening hours to off licence premises. Wholesale Confectionery & Tobacco Alliance chief executive John Bowden said: "This is an extremely disappointing statement from the Home Office. It has taken them over 10 months to consider trade comments and views on the White Paper proposals, but it would appear they had made their mind up on the overall shape of reform before that process began." He added that the proposals make no mention of reforms affecting wholesalers and their off licence customers, including forecourts, despite two years' WCTA work with the Home Office. Alan Toft, director general of the Federation of Wholesale Distributors, welcomed the government's continuing commitment to reduce licensing bureaucracy. He said: "Many independent grocers are discouraged from applying for licences under the present bureaucratic system and the proposed system of personal licences will be a great benefit. "The overall impact of the new measures will be good for independent retailers who can meet unsatisfied demand for beers, wines and spirits in their locality. They will find it quicker and easier to get a licence." {{NEWS }}