Licence fees could double in Scotland

Licensing fees for pubs in Scotland could double under a new licensing act set to come into force in 2009.

Three Scottish licensed trade organisations have written to the Scottish Parliament calling for members to reject the changes, which they claim could cost the licensed trade an extra £10m a year in fees.

The Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA), BII Scotland and the British Hospitality Association in Scotland said that the costs had doubled with no real explanation, and that the Scottish Executive had abandoned attempts to base fee levels on the actual costs incurred by licensing boards.

The changes will see the upper limit on fees double and the trade is worried that boards will charge the maximum amount.

SBPA chief executive Pat-rick Browne said: "We believe that if the Scottish Parliament agrees the proposed fees they will risk putting out of business many of Scotland's vulnerable pubs, hotels, restaurants, and other licensed properties, especially those in rural and suburban areas."

A Scottish Executive spokesperson said: "Boards must make sure fees are set at a level that meets the costs of running the licensing system.

"It's not correct to assume that every board will charge the maximum fees, so until boards set their fees the £20m figure is purely speculative and without foundation."

The plans are still to be considered by the Scottish Parliament and are subject to annulment until 1 February. Browne added: "The changes also give licensing boards the flexibility to vary fees, which conflicts with the whole idea of having nationally-agreed and applied levels set."

British Beer & Pub Associa-tion director Martin Rawlings said: "I'd be surprised if the Government took such a cavalier action down here.

"The Scottish Government came up with a fee and has given boards the option to double it - which I suspect most of them will take.

"We've an agreement that there will be a national licensing fee. Any changes to the statute would require consultation and it would then need to get through Parliament."