Sky freezes fee levels "until further notice

Pubs with Sky whose rateable value has dropped will have to wait to and see whether the satellite broadcaster reduces their subscription fee.

Sky has announced is it freezing subscription levels for licensees until "further notice" while it decides on the best system for charging licensees.

The satellite broadcaster is currently "re-evaluating" whether setting its fees based on a pub's rateable value is the best method.

The review also comes at a time when pubs' rateable values are changing, after new levies set by the Valuation Office Agency.

But while the decision could benefit pubs that have seen a rise in their rateable value, licensees whose rateable value has fallen could miss out on a reduction.

Andy Crawford, who runs the Railway Inn in Helsby with his Claire, said it was "disgusting" that he would not see the benefit, after his rateable value of £15,000 a year was reduced by around half.

And when he contacted Sky to request a reduction in his £700 monthly fee, he received a letter stating that the rate would remain the same until further notice.

He was hoping this would fall when he renews his subscription on April 1.

"They claim that 70 per cent of pubs have seen their rateable value increased and therefore they're somehow doing the trade a favour by taking it on the chin," he said. "But they've got pubs like mine over a barrel."

A Sky spokeswoman said: "Following the recent changes to the government's non-domestic rating system, and in light of Sky re-evaluating whether this system is the most appropriate method of charging customers, Sky has taken the decision to hold all current subscription levels until further notice."

"In due course we will contact all commercial customers to let them know what pricing structure we'll work to moving forward."