18 February 2021

Board thanks licensed trade for annual fee payments despite pandemic

Members of the Aberdeenshire Licensing Board congratulated the licensed trade for paying their annual fees despite the current Covid-19 restrictions which have impacted the hospitality sector.  

The licensing board also commended Aberdeenshire Council’s Licensing Standards Officers for their diligence in liaising with the licensing trade regarding outstanding payments when it met on Wednesday, February 10.

Last August the council’s licensing service sent 640 annual renewal letters to licensed premises advising them their annual fees were due and 220 premises reminder letters about the annual payment. These actions have subsequently resulted in only one premises annual fee being outstanding at the moment.

Cllr Brian Topping, Aberdeenshire Licensing Board Convenor, said: “Whilst the Covid-19 restrictions have impacted everyone, it is well documented that the hospitality sector has faced significant challenges brought about by the Coronavirus pandemic which mean many licensed businesses have struggled financially.

“It is therefore to those licensed premises in Aberdeenshire’s credit that they have worked with the council in paying their annual fees. I would also like to praise our Licensing Standards Officers for working with the premises to ensure annual payments are collected in a timely fashion.”

A copy of the agenda in full can be viewed on the Aberdeenshire Council website by visiting Aberdeenshire Council's Committees and Meetings webpage: https://committees.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/committees.aspx?commid=516&meetid=19730

A recording of the Aberdeenshire Licensing Board is available on the Aberdeenshire Council YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wB583y9PZLQ&feature=youtu.be