Islington becomes first London council to back late night levy

Islington Council yesterday became the first London borough to approve plans for the introduction of a late night levy.

The levy will be applied across the Islington area from the autumn of 2014 (no earlier than 1 September) and affect two thirds of the borough’s near 1,300 bars, pubs and other licensed premises.

Key features of the proposed regime - as set out in the report prepared for the council meeting - were expected to include:

  • The late night supply period will be set from 00:01 to 06:00 to all premises licensed to sell alcohol;
  • New Year’s Eve exemptions to the levy will be granted to premises which are authorised to supply alcohol for consumption on the premises between 00:01 and 06:00 only on 1 January in every year;
  • Exemptions to the levy will be granted to premises which provide overnight accommodation and only serve alcohol between 00:01 and 06:00 to people who are staying at the premises;
  • A reduction in the levy of 30% will be granted to premises operating between 00:01 and 06:00 where the premises are members of and participate in a best practice scheme “which will, or is likely to, result in a reduction of alcohol-related crime and disorder between 00:01 and 06:00”;
  • A Late Night Levy Board will be set up to decide the allocation process for the net levy revenue. The Board will include the Chair of Licensing Committee, the Executive Member for Community Safety and representatives of the licensing authority, the police and licence holders of premises operating between 00:01 and 06:00;
  • The Corporate Director of Environment and Regeneration will prepare an annual review of the operation and effect of the levy and report the outcome of the review to the Licensing Committee.

Businesses choosing to close at midnight to avoid paying the levy will be allowed to change their licences at no extra cost.

Islington said that in 2013 there had been 519 alcohol-related offences in its area between midnight and 6am.

Cllr Paul Convery, the council’s executive member for community safety, said: "Islington has one of London's biggest night-time economies, which has a big impact on local residents.

"Crime, regulation and the clean-up leave the council and police with a large bill. The levy will help to pay for extra resources after midnight, when there is extra strain on resources.”

Cllr Convery added:"It’s fair for late-night premises to pay their share. Most licensed premises in Islington won't have to pay anything, and late-night places that don't want to pay can simply close at midnight."

Islington is the third council in England to have approved a levy, after Newcastle City Council and Cheltenham Borough Council.

Nottingham City Council is formally consulting on a scheme, while the City of London Corporation is holding a second consultation.