Keep TV licences up to date or face fines, businesses warned

Hospitality operators have been urged to ensure their TV licences are kept up-to-date after a Suffolk hotelier was fined more than £1,000 for using unlicensed televisions.

Jonathan Nevin, proprietor of the Brandon House Hotel in Brandon, was fined £750 plus £400 costs by Bury St Edmunds Magistrates Court after not updating his licences despite a series of written warnings from the watchdog TV Licensing.

Bob Cotton, chief executive of the British Hospitality Association, said: "We would urge all our members and other businesses to make sure their premises are correctly licensed for TV use to avoid letting down their guests and risking a large fine.

"A trip to court is a real risk which could not only have a financial impact, but could also cause damage to the reputation of your business.

"If hotel managers are not sure what the requirements are or whether they are already licensed, a quick phone call to TV Licensing will help ensure they are not breaking the law," he added.

Special licensing arrangements exist for hotels, inns, guest houses, holiday villages and other accommodation for holidaymakers, tourists or other short-stay guests.

The fee for the Hotels and Mobile Units licence is based on the number of units of overnight accommodation you have to let and works out cheaper than buying a standard licence per room.

It is calculated as follows (assuming colour televisions are being used):

£135.50 for the first 15 rooms where a TV is installed

A further £135.50 for each subsequent set of five

This licence also covers the use of televisions provided by the owner in communal areas within the same premises or on the same site.

For more call TV Licensing on 0870 241 6468 (between 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday) or visit www.tvlicensing.co.uk

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By Daniel Thomas

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