Praise for Aberdeenshire's licensed trade in challenging times
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Members of the Aberdeenshire licensing board have praised the licensed trade for paying their annual fees despite the current Covid-19 restrictions which have impacted the hospitality sector.
The board also commended Aberdeenshire Council’s licensing standards officers for their diligence in liaising with businesses regarding outstanding payments when it met recently.
Last August, the local authority's licensing service sent 640 annual renewal letters to licensed premises advising them their annual fees were due and 220 reminder letters about the annual payment. These actions have subsequently resulted in only one annual fee being outstanding at the moment.
Councillor Brian Topping, Aberdeenshire licensing board convenor, said: “Whilst the Covid-19 restrictions have impacted everyone, it is well documented that the hospitality sector has faced significant challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic which mean many licensed businesses have struggled financially.
“It is therefore to those licensed premises in Aberdeenshire’s credit that they have worked with the council in paying their annual fees.
"I would also like to praise our licensing standards officers for working with the premises to ensure annual payments are collected in a timely fashion."
