The Government has published proposed fees for its controversial new liqour licensing system.

Licensing minister Richard Caborn said one-off fees for premises would range from £80 to £500, depending on the size of the venue, with annual fees coming in between £40 and £225.

A personal licence would be set at £37 and a licence for temporary event notice would be £21.

The fees structure is be consulted upon until 21 December. Licensing applications under the new regime will start on 7 February next year.

Caborn said: “The fees represent the last piece of the jigsaw before we begin the business of transition to the new regime, and I hope the trade will take the time to look at and respond to the consultation.

“I believe the fees are set at the right level to meet the admin and enforcement costs of the new system – it is important to remember that the fees cannot be used to raise funds for the development of the wider night-time economy.”

by Nic Paton

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