Pubs, clubs and voluntary organisations that want to sell alcohol, stage live music or arts events – or sell hot food and drink late at night – may soon be able to apply for licences online.

New measures proposed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) include a simplified online application process, which could save leisure businesses and voluntary organisations around £1.5m. Temporary Events Notice applications will also be made available online as part of the plans, which will be subject to a six-week consultation on the details of the system due to come into operation in January 2010.

Other changes include making the licensing authorities responsible for informing the police and other relevant authorities as and when an application is submitted online, rather than the applicant. Licensing minister Gerry Sutcliffe said: "This is just one of a number of measures we are putting into place to make it more convenient and cost-effective for businesses and voluntary organisations to get the licences they need.

"Information will be sent electronically to local authorities and the police, shaving days off the process as well as saving hefty postage and photocopying costs - changes that should make a significant difference to licensees and volunteers alike." David Butler, chief executive of the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations (NCPTA), added: "The NCPTA welcomes the development of online licence applications. Our 13,000 PTA members hold close to 100,000 events each year many of which will require a Temporary Events Notice.

"To be able to apply online and know that licensing authorities will be responsible for notifying the police and any other relevant authorities will greatly benefit PTA volunteers."