FINANCE

Soho sex shop ruling puts Westminster in financial vice

Westminster City Council ordered to repay £1m in fees collected from Soho sex shops, in a legal ruling with ‘massive implications’.

Westminster City Council has been ordered to repay £1m in fees collected from Soho sex shops, in a legal ruling which could have ‘massive implications' for licensing authorities around the country.

A written judgement issued today by the Court of Appeal finds Westminster's policy of charging licensees on a self-funding 'polluter pays' basis breached European Union law.

Jonathan Werran

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