LIVERPOOL, England - Adult retail chain Nice ‘n' Naughty has reduced the licensing fees at some of its stores and is offering other retailers help in doing the same.
National Retail Manager Richard Allmark said the 11-store chain has already achieved a 25 percent reduction in license-renewal fees and is pressing for cuts as much as 80 percent.
"It really comes down to being brave enough to mount a challenge and presenting your case in just the right way," he said. "We've written to councils, asking them to justify the increases. So far, authorities in half of the areas in which we operate have agreed to reconsider and reduce the fees."
Allmark said Nice ‘n' Naughy's campaign reduced the renewal fee from 5,400 pounds ($10,515) to 4,500 pounds ($8,762) at its store in Wednesbury in the West Midlands. Additionally, after a three-year battle with local authorities in Bangor, Gwynedd, to get a store licensed, the chain had the renewal fee dropped from 2,820 pounds ($5,491) to 1,450 pounds ($2,823).
"If we at Nice ‘n' Naughty can help other retailers achieve reductions, we are happy to do so," Allmark said. "I can make available templates of the letters we've used to negotiate with local authorities. All people need to do is email me. I'm also happy to offer any advice we've picked up from challenging these charges."
To contact Allmark, send email to [email protected].
