Club chiefs put costs in spotlight
SAFC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO APPEAL £2M BUSINESS RATES AND LOOK AT £347,618 POLICE BILL
Chiefs at Sunderland AFC say they are to look at the club’s policing bill and the business rates its pays as part of a bid to reduce costs.
Black Cats executive director Charlie Methven has told the Echo that the club will look to appeal its £2million business rates bill, claiming its back-to-back relegations to League One have resulted in a hugely-reduced income.
SAFC’s rates are about the £2million mark, which is much higher than their third tier rivals who typically pay about £80,000.
The club hierarchy is also looking at how much it pays Northumbria Police after being handed a bill of £347,618 from the organisation, a figure which is more than double what nearby Newcastle United paid at £167,613, despite the Magpies having an average attendance which is almost twice as high as Sunderland’s last season.
Sunderland had a turnover of £123million when the club was last in the Premier League in 2016/17, but that has plummeted dramatically following two demotions in a row.
Mr Methven said: “If you look at the business rates bill, it’s at £2million a year, but in regards to our turnover, that’s £17million a year.
“To be spending near enough an eighth of your turnover on business rates, that’s way out of kilter.
“There are national guidelines, but if you look at large Championship clubs, they are paying about £500,000 a year so for Sunderland to be paying four times that is bizarre.
“It’s absolutely right that businesses should pay business rates and of course I’m comfortable with Sunderland paying its fair share. Together with the Foundation of Light we’d like to think that the club contributes to the community.
“We are not trying to disavow our responsibilities, but it’s a two-way street.”
With regards to the police bill, Mr Methven said: “Going forward we’d like to see a more reciprocal situation.”
Chief Superintendent Sarah Pitt of Northumbria Police said: “The cost of policing is based upon rates set by the Home Office and not by Northumbria Police. All bills relating to policing football matches are then agreed with the football clubs.
“We have already praised fans of both Newcastle United and Sunderland AFC for their good behaviour over the course of last season and we had very little trouble at either St James’ Park or the Stadium of Light.”