Second try at getting Toab Shop licence reviewed

ATTEMPTS are to be made again to review the premises licence of the Toab Shop in Shetland’s South Mainland as annual fees remain unpaid.

The shop, located in Virkie, closed suddenly in August 2022.

An annual licence fee for the shop – which also hosted a post office – was due in October 2022 but it has not been paid.

Councillors on Shetland’s licensing board previously agreed to hold a review but workload meant it could not be carried out within the timescale required by legislation.

The matter went up again to the board on Monday and members were content to see moves made to set up a review again.

The board heard the premise licence holder has not been able to be contacted.

Even if the shop is not open, the premise licence fee still needs to be paid unless it is relinquished by the holder.

At the moment there is a premise licence still attached to the property.

Shetland North and Bressay member Stephen Leask made the point that if the licence was revoked then anyone wishing to take on the shop would have re-apply for a licence rather than getting it transferred.

A report to councillors said that most holders of premises licences in Shetland “make sure that the annual fee for their premises is paid on time as required by legislation” – either in full by the beginning of October each year, or by instalments.