Newcastle City has become the first council to agree a late night levy in the town after doubts over its likely use. The new charges will apply to city pubs and clubs open after midnight. Fees will range fron £299 to £4,400 per year depending on the rateable value of venues.
The levy is intended to provide funding for public services, primarily policing costs, involved in managing crime and disorder in and around the Night-Time Economy (NTE). The decision has been criticised in an article in the Morning Advertiser. Trade objections to late night levies suggest they are an unfair extra expense on small businesses which will impact on profits.
The full council approved the levy despite more than 60 objections from businesses in the area, but like many town centres has significant problems with alcohol-related disorder. See consultation responses here. The on-licensed trade in particular object to the fees, pointing out that it is unfair that off licenses are not subject to the fees. Many NTE users reportedly 'pre-load' with cheap alcohol obtained from off-licenses and supermarkets before accessing pubs and clubs in the evening.
A previous Alcohol Policy UK article on late night levies explained the background to the new local authority power to impose the fees. No areas appear to have yet committed to use of Early Morning Restriction Orders (EMROs) to restrict the sale of alcohol between midnight and 6am.
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