The Home Office has launched a public consultation proposing a move from centrally-set to locally-set fees for alcohol licences.
The purpose of the consultation is to allow local authorities to recoup the costs associated with carrying out their licensing functions.
Sports clubs which have bars that sell alcohol are required to pay for a licence. The consultation proposes removing the current annual licence fee levels and replacing them with a higher cap.
As such, local authorities would be free to set licence fee levels for clubs (provided they come beneath the cap) – meaning that some clubs could be required to pay more than they are currently.
The Alliance will be making representations to Government opposing the proposed increases, while it will also be looking to secure exemptions from the proposals for sports clubs and Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) where possible.
National governing bodies and clubs may wish to submit their own individual responses as well prior to the closing date on 10 April.
View the alcohol licence consultation document.
For more information please contact David Foster.
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