Anger as city's pet stores face licence fee rise of up to 200%
PET shops in Derby have reacted angrily to news that their annual licence charges will rise by up to 200% as part of a city council overhaul of fees.
The changes will affect the city's nine shops that sell animals and any new business that wants to do the same.
They currently pay £110 to get or renew a licence but will now find the costs rise to up to £330.
The city council says the move is to bring the licence-to-operate fees for pet shops in line with the true amount they cost the authority to process.
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But pet shop owners have said the move could not have come at worse time as their businesses are being hit by the economic downturn.
Gavin Chambers, owner of Chambers Pet Centre, in London Road, Alvaston, called the charges "another stealth tax".
He said: "200% just isn't realistic. Right now most retailers are really struggling with costs rising across the board.
"This will put other people off opening a pet shop as well so it's not good for the city's economy."
Helen Tomlinson, joint-owner and manager of Supapet, Osmaston Road, said she was disappointed the council had not contacted her about the changes. She said: "It's some increase. Animal welfare is our top priority and the cost of looking after them properly is rising. This is not the time for this."
The licence fee changes were confirmed at a meeting of the city council's general licensing committee on Thursday night. Animal boarding and horse riding centres will also be hit by the same increase.
Councillor Barbara Jackson, chairman of the licensing committee, said that any licences related to animal welfare had previously been subject to "an inflationary increase only".
She said: "The licensing of animal welfare is neither straightforward nor simplistic and there is an increased level of officer involvement in terms of site visits before a licence or renewal of a licence can be issued in addition to spot checks which are conducted by officers throughout the period of a yearly licence. This is the reasoning for the recalculation of the fees within this area."
Other businesses requiring licences, such as pubs, off-licences and casinos, will see their fees go up by 3% to "reflect inflation".
6 Comments
by Derby61
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 1:46PM
“The city council is once again wanting to make derby and its surrounding area pub, club and take away only , 200% is sheer greed in this present climate how much does it cost to police 9 pet shops compared to the number of other premises , the council is just putting another stealth tax in place , will our rates come down with the amount of free energy produced by the white elephant hydro station i doubt it”
by dianae
Sunday, February 24 2013, 7:30PM
“And when did the licence fee last go up?
If it was 10 years ago, then the shops have been subsidised for years and a £200 rise isn't that much when averaged year by year - if it had been increased by £20 each year, would this make the papers?”
by dianae
Sunday, February 24 2013, 7:26PM
“Many pet shops don't sell live animals these days - the days of how much is that doggie in the window is gone. Surely their money is made by selling pet foods and accessories?
I know Pets at Home have quite a large range of animals in their stores ... but why should council tax payers subsidise Pets at Home?
Asking them to pay the cost of the bureaucracy of the licences seems fair enough. The council must have to pay staff to go and monitor the shops' ability to keep animals in a humane way - even one visit a year is going to cost a chunk of money and if the shop knows the council can only afford one visit a year, they may be tempted to cut corners with animal welfare the rest of the year.”
by Derby_born
Sunday, February 24 2013, 9:56AM
“Maybe pet shops would do better if they move out of Derby City Council's area, out of town shopping is already saving money on car parking fees. It is however very clear that this council supports gambling establishments, and places where the city's alcoholics spend their state benefits, nothing new there!”
by JustMyOpinion
Saturday, February 23 2013, 8:38PM
“disgusting, to try and charge them so much. I agree with Janine2011”
by janine2011
Saturday, February 23 2013, 12:40PM
“200% increase is sheer greed, it would serve the council right is the shops told them where to go and closed down or decided to stop selling pets.”