Councillors call for premises licence reviews after non-payment of fees

SHETLAND’s licensing board has proposed premises licence reviews for some establishments in the isles which have failed to pay annual fees on time.

The decision of Shetland’s licensing board on Tuesday included Phu Siam and Glen Orchy in Lerwick.

Councillors were told that the annual fees, which in this case ranged from £220 to £280, were due on 1 October last year.

Members were told that most of the 149 premises licence holders in Shetland pay the annual fee on time or make arrangements with the board’s clerks to pay by instalments, but a small number fail to do so.

“We sent reminder letters to the premises licence holders at the beginning of September,” council solicitor Keith Adam said.

Councillors agreed to propose premises licence reviews to get to the bottom of the situation, with hearings slated for 17 May.

“I move that that we have a hearing in all […] cases,” North Mainland member Alastair Cooper said. “We have to act.”