Full council at City of London Corporation to consider late night levy

The licensing committee at the City of London Corporation has today (28 April) agreed to recommend to its full council that a late night levy be adopted in the area.

The proposals for the levy will now go forward to the Court of Common Council for consideration.

The key features for the scheme are:

  • The levy will be applied across the City of London to commence on 1 October 2014, with the late night supply period set from 00:01 to 06:00 to all premises licensed to supply alcohol;
  • A reduction in the levy of 30% will be granted to premises operating between 00:01 and 06:00 where the premises have shown that they operate at the standard required to achieve the City of London Safety ‘Thirst’ award;
  • The proportion of the net amount of the levy revenue to be paid to the City of London Police will be 70%;
  • The final allocation of that portion of the levy to be used by the City Corporation will be decided by the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the licensing committee in consultation with the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection;
  • An annual review of the operation and effect of the levy will be carried out and reported to the licensing committee.

The licensing committee’s decision follows a consultation “with, amongst others, those persons licensed to sell alcohol after midnight, licensing solicitors/barristers, Members, all other premises licensed to sell alcohol and relevant trade associations”.

Late night levies – which were brought in under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 – have so far been approved by Newcastle, Cheltenham and Islington councils.