Press Releases and Articles

BISL ATTACKS HUGE HIKE IN LICENSING FEES
21 January 2005

BISL ATTACKS HUGE HIKE IN LICENSING FEES FOR MAJOR LEISURE OUTLETS

Business In Sport and Leisure (BISL) believes that the huge hike in fees for an alcohol premises licence announced by the Government today will adversely effect thousands of large leisure outlets which have no track record of contributing to anti-social behaviour.

As the fees are based on rateable values, large leisure venues like hotels, bingo clubs, casinos, health and fitness clubs, ten-pin bowls, racecourses, golf clubs, and sports clubs will all pay high-end category D or E fees. These have risen by 30-35% since the Government issued its consultation last November. These kinds of premises are not associated with binge drinking and so are being unfairly penalised.

Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of Business In Sport and Leisure said:
'The licensing guidance made it clear that local authorities had to assess leisure premises on a 'risk basis'. There is clearly no risk of any alcohol related incidents from many large leisure outlets and yet, licensing fees for these venues have risen disproportionately in the Government's announcement today. We do need to put this into perspective. The new Licensing Act offers flexible licensing hours and only a very small percentage of licensed premises will open any later than they do now.

'Currently to open late you have to provide music and dancing which obviously creates noise. A key feature of the new legislation is that this late license requirement to create noise will be removed, therefore over the long term attracting a wider range and age group of customers to town centre premises. Bizarrely the fee structure announced today proposes charging these calmer, quieter premises more than nightclubs.

'Improving the late-night culture and behaviour of young people is hugely important and in my opinion the industry is seized of this imperative. However, today's announcement puts the burden on the vast number of large leisure outlets when the problem is caused by the few'.

Ends

Note to Editors

· The Licensing Act 2003 (Fees) Regulations 2005 were announced by DCMS today, Friday 21st January.

· Business In Sport and Leisure (BISL) is an umbrella organisation which represents over 100 private sector companies in the sport and leisure industry. Its members include most of the major operators of commercial sport and leisure in the UK and many consultants who specialise in this field. Members of BISL who are listed on the London Stock Exchange have a combined market capitalisation in excess of £40 billion.

· For further information, please contact Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of Business In Sport and Leisure on 020 8780 2377; Mobile 07710 485119

Go back