Edinburgh 'profiteering' from pub street permits

Edinburgh Council has been accused of "profiteering" after collecting more than £220,000 in charges from pubs and restaurants for outside tables and chairs.

In the year ending April 2010, 237 businesses paid the council £224,670 for outdoor permits compared to a revenue of just £69,052 from 232 businesses — just five more — in 2006 to 2007.

Before 2007 the permit scheme worked on flat rates — a new annual application for an area within the world heritage site was £440 and £230 outside the site, regardless of size.

A new system brought in for 2007 charged per square metre — £85 per square metre within the world heritage site for a year licence, and £65 outside.

The council also brought in evening and night time policing of outside areas, which it claims accounts for the extra revenue.

"I think the council is profiteering from the industry," said Scottish Beer and Pub Association chief executive Patrick Browne.

"It is difficult to justify the cost of the permits when the number of venues needing one have more or less stayed the same and licensees are paying higher fees and business rates. It is a triple whammy.

"I am sure the policing can be done more efficiently and cheaply. I don't think much more policing is required depending on the size of each area so there is definitely a case for reviewing the fee structure."

The permit allows the use of outside areas from 9am to 9pm, with a flat £150 charge to extend the permit to 10pm.

A spokeswoman for Edinburgh Council said: "The city has a growing cafe culture and having tables and chairs outside premises enhances an area, especially during the summer months.

"The number of businesses applying for permits has increased and we have helped bars and cafes through the tough financial climate by freezing the price of permits over the last three years. The money raised helps to pay for the enforcement of the scheme."