BBPA calls for action over annual licence fees

The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) is pushing the government to act over annual licence fees.

The fees, which can be anything from £70 to £800, are due yearly, on the date a pub's licence was granted under the new regime. The first wave of renewals is due on April 7 and will continue up until the anniversary of the first Second Appointed Day of November 24.

The government is believed to be looking to fix the renewal date but if it fails to act before the first wave of renewals it could create an administrative nightmare. It could mean local authorities are forced to refund licensees who have made early renewals, as well as widespread confusion over renewal dates.

The government is considering the move after its independent review panel on licensing published its interim report in December 2005 calling for one date to be set for the annual fee.

The BBPA has met with lic-ensing minister James Purnell to push for action and has suggested September could be an acceptable date.

Martin Rawlings, director of pub and leisure at the BBPA, is concerned that if the government fails to move quickly on this issue licensees could yet again be left in confusion over licensing.

He said: "This needs to happen. The government needs to do it now, as there could be people who will have already paid fees if the government acts too late."

Tony Payne, chief executive of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers' Associations, is also demanding a swift response from the government. He said: "We are pushing for quick action. The government can introduce a change until April but it needs to act urgently."

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has confirmed that the government is looking into the issue.

A spokeswoman said: "We are considering it at the moment.

"It's all part of the review and the panel is coming back with their full report at the end of the year."