Gloucester rejects late-night levy proposals

23-Jul-2017 - Last updated on 24-Jul-2017 at 10:13 GMT

Warmly welcomed: Gloucester Council rejects proposals to introduce a late night levy

Gloucester Council has rejected proposals to introduce a late night levy and has established a Business Improvement District (BID) instead.

The reason the council rejected the levy and chose to pursue a BID was not clear at the time of publication.

But both the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) and British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) had previously urged Gloucester City Council to adopt a BID instead of a late-night levy.

The move, which has been “warmly welcomed” by the BBPA, follows the route taken by nearby Cheltenham Council, which scrapped its own levy after listening to concerns raised by trade bodies.

A BID is an area in which the local businesses have voted to invest together to improve the environment, which could be via investment in extra safety services, cleaning or environmental measures. They are funded by a mandatory levy on all eligible businesses after a successful ballot.

Warmly Welcomed

Brigid Simmonds, BBPA chief executive, said: “This is a very wise and welcome decision from Gloucester, and highlights the fact that late-night levies are an unwelcome new tax and do work effectively to address local alcohol-related issues.

“Instead, the council’s proposed BID will involve businesses as vital stakeholders in securing a safe, responsible, local environment.

“Gloucester’s pubs employ around 1,600 people, and add £43 million to the local economy, each year. It is right that the council will now work in partnership to help local pubs and other businesses to thrive.”

Gloucester council had been expected to vote on the levy on 23 March, however, the meeting was pushed back to Thursday 20 July to allow a consultation on the plans to continue during June.