More than 50 pubs, clubs and restaurants in Edinburgh face being closed over the Christmas period as a result of new licensing laws.
Regulations coming into force on December 1 require premises which sell alcohol to have a designated "personal licence holder".
However, as many as 55 businesses in the capital have failed to provide City Council officials with the correct information, meaning they now face being forced to empty their shelves.
Clubs and pubs which have not provided details of a suitably qualified premise manager by Monday will have to reapply for a licence - a process which could take months.
Councillor Marjorie Thomas said: "It is deeply concerning that there are businesses out there in the licensed trade who still, after years of public debate and press announcements in local and trade papers still have not appointed a Premises Manager.
"Police have to approve every application, and with the best will in the world this all takes time.
"Ignorance of the law is no excuse, and without a Designated Premises Manager who has his own Personal License, the liquor license will be revoked, and there is no appeal against this.
"To reapply will mean no trading for that period and another Premises License fee."
However, the council has admitted that a small proportion of the businesses affected may have submitted their paperwork correctly but been subject to delays.
Officials are urging landlords who are due to lose their licence to get in touch immediately.
However, they warn there may be little help available for businesses who have simply failed to take notice of the new regulations until the last minute.
