Following the decision to retain the Late Night Levy, with significant reform, including extending the Levy contribution to include premises which are licensed for the provision of late night refreshments, Camden Council have now confirmed steps operators can take to opt out of the Levy.
The Levy has been amended so that it now applies not only to premises licensed to sell alcohol between midnight and 06:00am, but also to premises licensed to provide late night refreshments between midnight and 05:00am.
Operators are being given the opportunity to opt out of the Levy by submitting a minor variation application to reduce the hours permitted to provide late night refreshments so that they will not be caught by the Levy. The Council have confirmed that there will not be a fee charged for the applications provided they are submitted by 31 August 2026 and such applications should be emailed to the licensing team – licensing@camden.gov.uk.
The Council have advised that if an application is not made by that date, then the premises will become liable for the Late Night Levy. The Levy will be charged on a pro rata basis and will be aligned with the anniversary date of the premises licence.
The Council have also confirmed that if premises have extended hours on New Year’s Eve only which permit Late Night Refreshments past midnight then an exemption will apply and operators will not be liable to pay the Levy.
If operators wish to retain their licensed hours for late night refreshments and are happy to pay the Levy fee, then no action is required.
For more information, please feel free to contact any of our licensing solicitors on 0115 953 8500.
