Cheshire East Council turns down late-night levy

The decision was made by the licensing committee for Cheshire East Council on Monday (7 November) when it considered a report on whether to consult on the issue.

It approved the recommendation of the report that an LNL or EMRO was "not appropriate at this time". 

The document also called for the committee to consider other methods currently available to improve the late-night economy, such as adopting a cumulative impact area policy.

Reconsideration unlikely

Legal experts for The Morning Advertiser​, Poppleston Allen, said: "It is unlikely that the council will reconsider a LNL or EMRO unless there is a change in circumstances. The Government may make amendments to the current LNL, for example, to increase its flexibility and improve the manner in which it is being adopted by the licensing authority.

"In these circumstances, Cheshire East Council may reconsider its position, in particular, if there has been an identifiable increase in the harm attributed to alcohol or if a LNL is specifically requested by the police."

Move welcomed

The move was welcomed by the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) chief executive Kate Nicholls.

She said: “This is a very welcome decision from a local authority that has seen the benefits of focusing on partnership schemes and giving its local businesses a chance to thrive.

“The ALMR has been the only national trade body to consistently campaign against the blanket introduction of punitive measures such as the LNL and EMRO that would undermine growth and investment in communities across the country.

“The Government’s own guidance on introducing these measures states they should only be considered as a last resort, when all other measures have been exhausted. The decision not to introduce these measures on a whim, and to investigate partnership and voluntary schemes in the first instance, shows a degree of common sense that other councils would do well to match.”