Licensees hit by TV licence increases

Landlords have been hit by a double-whammy price-hike with the news that the cost of a TV license is set to rise by around £30 to £162.

Licensees will have to foot twice the amount due to legislation that demands one licence for the pub premises and one for private accommodation.

Viewers would be happy to pay that amount to fund the BBC, according to research commissioned by the government.

However, Tony Payne chief executive of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers' Associations, believes the news is yet another kick in the teeth for licensees who are already struggling with rising costs.

He said: "It might not seem much to a minister on their salary but £30 has to come out of the business and £30 has to come out of their pocket. When you take into consideration all these extra costs, like the Licensing Act and fire regulations, you've got to ask what's left at the end of the day?"

He adds: "I'm quite sure a lot of licensees are debating whether it's worthwhile having a TV in the premises. You have to wonder what's on terrestrial TV that's beneficial to my customers? Apart from sport there isn't much. And we don't have a lot of sport on terrestrial."

Danny Scott, licensee at Rick's Bar in Greenwich, said: "It's an out and out liberty. To me it's just a tax. Most people now have got Sky. Why should you be paying a TV licence to the BBC? You're paying twice for the same thing."

A final decision is expected in November.