Report: Councils should ditch Late Night Levies for partnerships

The British Beer & Pub Association and the Campaign for Real Ale have joined forces to publish ‘Supporting a safer night time economy’. The report claims partnerships between police, council and community groups are a more effective alternative than a levy.

The scheme forces pubs to pay an extra cost of over £750 per year - a significant impact on small community businesses, which may only open later at weekends or on certain days of the year yet are still liable for the levy.

There are currently seven levies in place​. In practice, some local authorities have backed away from the scheme due to partnership working being a more effective option​. The report claims the scheme comes at a high potential administration cost for minimal financial gain.

Partnerships

Instead, CAMRA and the BBPA urge a partnership approach, such as through the establishment of local Pubwatches, Business Improvement Districts, and the Best Bar None scheme - ways of working that have been successfully pursued by a number of authorities that have specifically rejected the levy approach.

Brigid Simmonds BBPA chief executive, said: “This new research report shows that introducing a late-night levy is really a direct tax on local businesses that damages effective partnership working between the trade and other stakeholders.

“We are working with local authorities and police to find better ways of promoting a safe and vibrant night-time economy.”

Service

Tim Page CAMRA chief executive, said: “Community pubs that provide essential services to their customers will be those that are hit hardest by a late night-levy.

“With pub closure rates being an ongoing concern for CAMRA members, it is essential that Government and Councils do everything possible to support pubs that are so vital to communities, rather than placing a financial burden on them.”