Independent school applies for events licence in plan to offset VAT

  • 15th October 2024

Walhampton School in Hampshire has submitted a premises licence application to New Forest District Council for events it plans to hold to help offset pressure on fee caused by the government’s VAT plans, the Bournemouth Echo has reported.

Walhampton is a co-educational school for children aged from two to 13.

A school spokesperson said: “Walhampton School are looking at how we can increase the use of our grounds and estate, as part of our strategy to broaden our commercial income, in order to help limit the impact of the forthcoming VAT legislation on independent schools.

“We have a new commercial manager and have recognised that we will need a premises licence should we wish to use the school grounds for events such as weddings, theatre productions, craft fairs etc where there may be a requirement to sell alcohol.”

The application asks for permission to sell alcohol within the school grounds between 10am and midnight daily, broadcast films indoors and outdoors between 8am and 11pm daily, play live music indoors and outdoors between 10am and midnight daily and recorded music indoors and outdoors between 8am and midnight daily, and to provide late-night refreshment indoors between 11pm and 1am daily.

The school also stated in its application that outside music “will end promptly at 11pm”.

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