Belfast City Council’s fees for the renewal of entertainment licences are set to rise, it has emerged.
ue to the impact of the Covid pandemic on the hospitality sector, the Department for Communities reduced these fees to £1.
But now they are set to revert to their pre-pandemic levels, ranging from £100 to £1,000 for a full licence.
The fees vary depending on the size of the venue involved. If a venue wants to provide entertainment, either for private functions or any event for the public for which they are charged money, a valid entertainment licence is required.
Belfast City Council also inspects venues to ensure they are suitable for their intended use; have appropriate levels of insurance; provide access for emergency services; and have adequate sanitary and hygiene facilities.
The reduction in fees applied to any renewal application submitted on or after April 6, 2021.
Following a review early in 2022, it was then decided to extend the period of the reduction in fees to cover 2022/23, in order to give businesses time to return to normal trading practices, as Covid restrictions had only recently been lifted.
According to a briefing paper prepared for members of Belfast City Council’s Licensing Committee: “Additional funding of some £17m provided by the Executive for council losses incurred as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic included provision to cover any loss of income resulting from the reduction in fees for the renewal of entertainment licences for 2022/23.
“In a letter to the council, dated November 15, 2022, the Department for Communities, having carried out a further review, has advised of its determination of the fees for entertainment licences.
“In the letter, the department acknowledges that reduced licence fees have, undoubtedly, helped ease some of the financial burden for businesses in the hospitality industry. However, with the removal of all remaining Covid-19 restrictions earlier this year, licence holders will by April 2023 have had a year to return to a normal trading footing.
“The department is of the view that there is no need to continue with this easement beyond the end of the 2022/23 financial year and, therefore, fees for renewal of entertainment licences will, with effect from April 6, 2023, revert to pre-April 2021 levels.”
