Personal Licence Renewals – SGF Says ‘No’ to Retailer Fees

The Scottish Grocers’ Federation has just submitted its response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on introducing a fee for applying to renew a personal licence. The Licensing (Scotland) 2005 Act requires those who authorise the sale of alcohol to possess a personal licence and for it to be renewed every ten years. With the licensing regime contained in the 2005 Act going live in September 2009, the ten year point will be reached in September 2019. Many retailers will therefore fall into the first phase of renewal applications which opens on 31 August 2018.

 Commenting of the consultation, SGF Policy Officer, Luke McGarty said: 

“The Scottish Grocers’ Federation believe that the fee for renewal of a personal licence represents another cost for retailers who are themselves licence holders. The consultation highlights that nearly sixty thousand individuals across Scotland hold a personal licence. This being the case, the cost to renew all of them – if the renewal fee was set at £50 – would be approximately £3 million onto business and retailers. 

This is an additional cost which convenience retailers could do without and we believe that alternatives – such as removing the renewal requirement in Scotland altogether - need to be considered by the Scottish Government before any decision is taken.” 

The absolute deadline for submitting renewal applications is 31st May 2019.