It offers information on events in 65 cities across 14 countries and has a licensing arrangement for another 42 cities.

The licensing arrangement for terrestrial radio stations compensates only the songwriter (or composer) and publisher for the over-the-air broadcasts of music.

Other licensing arrangements proposing a 90/10 profit split in favour of the labels foundered.

Its advisers 'would be up to their armpits in the paperwork' trying to make sense of the licensing arrangements ahead of the deadline, the source said.

Central government initiatives to restrict the 24-hour sale of alcohol have largely failed, and as a result local authorities are pleading for more control over nighbourhood licensing arrangements.