£685,000 owed by 38 pubs and clubs

The total debt in Londonderry was £685,990 - amassed at 38 properties. The maximum debt at any single property in the Derry City Council area was £60,305; the minimum £5,079 - giving an average of £18,052.

In Limavady £205,755 was run up at 14 properties - the largest debt was £30,062; the average £14,697. In Strabane eight pubs and clubs were indebted to the tune of £130,215. The largest debt at any single property in Strabane was £42,978 and the average debt was £16,697.

Finance Minister Sammy Wilson revealed the level of debt in response to an Assembly Question.

He was asked to detail the total number, the names and the locations of pubs, clubs and other licensed commercial premises currently in rates arrears by more than £5,000.

But he said he was unable to provide specific details due to data protection legislation.

Mr Wilson stated: “Individual ratepayer details can not be supplied due to Data Protection legislation.”

The Minister also said the information was extracted from Land and Property Services (LPS) records as at January 19, 2011.

The figures include rates owed for 2010-11 and all previous years. They therefore include amounts being paid under monthly instalment plans.