Hundreds of businesses in Aberdeen are being reminded that they must pay their annual premises licence fees by October 1 or risk having their licence revoked.
There are currently 650 premises licence holders in Aberdeen, covering a variety of businesses including bars, shops and restaurants.
Payment of the fee is a mandatory condition for all premises licence holders.
Failure to comply would constitute a breach of conditions and may lead to the Aberdeen City Licensing Board carrying out a review of the licence.
That process could ultimately result in sanctions being imposed, which could include suspension of the licence or, at worst, revocation.
Letters were issued in August to all premises licence holders reminding them of their duty to pay the annual charge.
The correspondence stressed the need for the payments to be made by the deadline of October 1 and the possible consequences of non-payment, which could seriously impact upon the licence holders’ business.
Aberdeen City Licensing Board Convener, Councillor Marie Boulton, said: “The Licensing Board has a duty to hold to account license holders who do not meet the conditions of their licences, which in this case concerns payment of annual fees.
“It is in the interests of all parties involved that the fees are paid timeously, and this reminder will hopefully ensure all licence holders will comply.”
Licence holders who have any questions about their annual fee should contact Aberdeen City Council’s licensing team by email at licensing@aberdeencity.gov.uk